Bayliner 185 2006 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 185 2006
2006
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VS
Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007
2007
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Bayliner 185 2006 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 185 2006 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 measures 25,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 185 2006 at 18,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 tips the scales at 6 637 lbs — 4 514 lbs less than the Bayliner 185 2006 at 2 123 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 has a 80-hp advantage over the Bayliner 185 2006's 220-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 carries 81 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Bayliner 185 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 at 25,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Bayliner 185 2006 at 18,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
Model185
ModelDiscovery 246 Cruiser
Model Year2006
Model Year2007
MakeBayliner
MakeBayliner
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in. (5.54 m) Rigged: 19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 8 in. (7.82 m) Rigged: 26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet25
Length overall - Meters5.84
Length overall - Meters8.08
Length overall - Inches23
Length overall - Inches318
Draft [drive up] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.51 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches39
Length - Meters5.54
Length - Meters7.82
Weight - lbs.2123
Weight - lbs.6637
Bridge clearance - Inches48
Bridge clearance - Inches106
Weight - kg962.98
Weight - kg3010.49
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 0 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Inches93
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Meters1.22
Bridge clearance - Meters2.69
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise17℃
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 0 in. (2.92 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Length - Inches2
Length - Inches8
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [drive up] inches21
Beam - Meters2.36
Beam - Meters2.59
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Weight - Detail2,123 lbs. (963 kg)
Weight - Detail6,637 lbs. (3,010 kg)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal81
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62
Engine makeMerCruiser
Engine makenot available
Horsepower135 hp
Horsepowernot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max220 hp
Engine max300 hp
Engine/s standard3.0 l MerCruiser? Alpha I (135 hp)
Engine/s standard5.7L MerCruiser® Bravo® III (250 hp)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail81 gal. (306.6 l)
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Maximum people8
Maximum peoplenot available
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
Trailer Info
Trailer - Height6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Weight2,905 lbs. (1,318 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
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 allnot available
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass

Bayliner 185 2006 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 185 2006 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007?
The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Bayliner 185 2006 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 185 2006 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007?
For trailering, the Bayliner 185 2006 has the edge at 2 123 lbs dry weight versus 6 637 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007. 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bayliner 185 2006 tops out at 220 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Bayliner 185 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 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 Cruiser 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 93" for the Bayliner 185 2006. 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 2006 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007?
The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 81 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Bayliner 185 2006. 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 2006 and Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 185 2006 and the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 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.