Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 197 Deck 2012 vs Bayliner VR6 Bowrider I/O 2020 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 197 Deck 2012 vs Bayliner VR6 Bowrider I/O 2020 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Bayliner VR6 Bowrider I/O 2020 has a 30-hp advantage over the Bayliner 197 Deck 2012's 220-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 35 gal and 33 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner VR6 Bowrider I/O 2020 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 197 Deck 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner VR6 Bowrider I/O 2020 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner VR6 Bowrider I/O 2020 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 197 Deck 2012 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
Makenot available
Model197 Deck
Modelnot available
Model Year2012
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. (2.13 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.13
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches84
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise17°
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 4 in. (0.41 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 8 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail2,695 lbs. (1,222 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1222.43
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.2695
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet18.58
Length - Feet22
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in. (5.66 m)
Length overall - Detail22.00 ft
Length overall - Meters5.66
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Inches223
Length overall - Inches264
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMerCruiser
Engine modelMPI / A1 (3.0 L) WPS ECT Carb Compliant
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard135 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeinboard
Engine max220 hp
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower250 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity8 gal. (30.3 l) optional
Water capacitynot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower