Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 vs Bayliner Discovery 192 2009 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 and the Bayliner Discovery 192 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 at 18,8 ft versus Bayliner Discovery 192 2009 at 19,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner Discovery 192 2009 tips the scales at 2 515 lbs — 237 lbs less than the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 at 2 278 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 Bayliner Discovery 192 2009 tops out at 220 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 23 gal and 23 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner Discovery 192 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 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 192 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 192 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 19,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 196 Bowrider 2013 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
Model196 Bowrider
ModelDiscovery 192
Model Year2013
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Beam7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches95
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 11 in. (1.19 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 11 in. (1.50 m) Max: 7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.19
Bridge clearance - Meters2.29
Bridge clearance - Inches47
Bridge clearance - Inches9
Deadrise18°
Deadrise19℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 5 in. (0.43 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 9 in. (0.84 m)
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11 in. (0.89 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail2,278 lbs. (1,033 kg)
Weight - Detail2,515 lbs. (1,141 kg)
Weight - kg1033.28
Weight - kg1140.78
Weight - lbs.2278
Weight - lbs.2515
Length - Feet18.75
Length - Feet19.33
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 9 in. (5.72 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 4 in. (5.89 m) Rigged: 21 ft. 1 in. (6.43 m)
Length overall - Meters5.72
Length overall - Meters6.43
Length overall - Inches225
Length overall - Inches253
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelMPI / A1 (3.0 l) WPS ECT Carb Compliant
Engine model3.0L MerCruiser® Alpha I
Engine/s standard135 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower135 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine max220 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - HeightRigged: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 3,365 lbs. (1,526 kg)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)