Bayliner 185 2005 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 185 2005
2005
View full specs →
VS
Bayliner Discovery 246  2009 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner Discovery 246 2009
2009
View full specs →

Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 185 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 carries 81 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Bayliner 185 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 185 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 25,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 185 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBayliner
MakeBayliner
Model185
ModelDiscovery 246
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.36
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches93
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 0 in. (2.92 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.22
Bridge clearance - Meters2.69
Bridge clearance - Inches48
Bridge clearance - Inches106
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise17℃
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.51 m) Max: 3 ft. 0 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail2,123 lbs. (963 kg)
Weight - Detail6,354 lbs. (2,882 kg)
Weight - kg962.98
Weight - kg2882.12
Weight - lbs.2123
Weight - lbs.6354
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in. (5.54 m) 19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m) Rigged: 26 ft. 7 in. (8.10 m)
Length overall - Meters5.84
Length overall - Meters8.1
Length overall - Inches23
Length overall - Inches319
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches21
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet25.58
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail81 gal. (306.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal81
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model5.7L MerCruiser® Bravo® III
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower250 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine max300 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)
Trailer - HeightRigged: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Trailer - Length over allStorage Length (Tongue Swung to Side): 20 ft. 1 in. (6.12 m) Rigged: 21 ft. 9 in. (6.63 m)
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)
Trailer - Weight2,905 lbs. (1,318 kg)
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 8,072 lbs. (3,661 kg)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Bayliner 185 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009?
For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2005 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 6 354 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 185 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Bayliner 185 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 93" for the Bayliner 185 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 185 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009?
The Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 has the bigger tank at 81 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 2005. That 53-gallon difference translates to roughly 159–265 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner 185 2005 and Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2005 and the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 are built by Bayliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.