Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 vs Bayliner 249 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 or the Bayliner 249 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 249 2004 has the edge at 399 lbs dry weight versus 2 695 lbs for the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008. 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.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 has a documented max rating of 175 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 249 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Bayliner 249 2004 is certified for 7. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 249 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 97" for the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 or the Bayliner 249 2004?

The Bayliner 249 2004 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008. That 40-gallon difference translates to roughly 120–200 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 and Bayliner 249 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 and the Bayliner 249 2004 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.

Boat Comparison

Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 vs Bayliner 249 2004

Bayliner

Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008

2008

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Bayliner

Bayliner 249 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 vs Bayliner 249 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 vs Bayliner 249 2004 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 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 carries a rated maximum of 175 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 249 2004 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 249 2004 carries 75 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008. 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 249 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 249 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 249 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model197 Outboard Deck Boat

Model249

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.46

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches97

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.31

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches91

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise20℃

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] - Detail3 ft. max

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail2,695 lbs. (1,222.4 kg)

Weight - Detail3,990 lbs

Weight - kg1222.43

Weight - kg1809.83

Weight - lbs.2695

Weight - lbs.399

Length - Meters5.66

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in. (5.66 m) Rigged: 20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters7.37

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches29

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard115 hp Mercury Optimax

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132.5 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max175 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l) optional

Water capacity15 gal

Maximum people1

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allRigged: 23 ft. 2 in. (7.06 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight3,545 lbs. (1,608 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 vs Bayliner 249 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 or the Bayliner 249 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 249 2004 has the edge at 399 lbs dry weight versus 2 695 lbs for the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008. 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 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 has a documented max rating of 175 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 249 2004 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 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Bayliner 249 2004 is certified for 7. 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 249 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 97" for the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008. 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 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 or the Bayliner 249 2004?

The Bayliner 249 2004 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008. That 40-gallon difference translates to roughly 120–200 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 and Bayliner 249 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 and the Bayliner 249 2004 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.

← Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 full specs ← Bayliner 249 2004 full specs