Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008
2008
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VS
Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008
2008
View full specs →

Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 vs Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 vs Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 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 320 Cruiser 2008 measures 32,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 at 18,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 10 976 lbs — 8 281 lbs less than the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 at 2 695 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 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 carries a rated maximum of 175 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 carries 35 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 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 320 Cruiser 2008 is rated for 9 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 320 Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 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
MakeBayliner
Model197 Outboard Deck Boat
Model320 Cruiser
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 10 in. (3 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.31
Bridge clearance - Meters3
Bridge clearance - Inches91
Bridge clearance - Inches118
Deadrise17℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 4 in. (0.41 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail2 ft. 2 in. (0.66 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.66
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches26
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 8 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. (0.97 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - Detail2,695 lbs. (1,222.4 kg)
Weight - Detail10,976 lbs. (4,979 kg)
Weight - kg1222.43
Weight - kg4978.63
Weight - lbs.2695
Weight - lbs.10976
Length - Meters5.66
Length - Meters9.88
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet32
Length - Inches7
Length - Inches5
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in. (5.66 m) Rigged: 20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)
Length overall - Detail32 ft. 5 in. (9.88 m)
Length overall - Meters6.38
Length overall - Meters9.88
Length overall - Inches251
Length overall - Inches389
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard115 hp Mercury Optimax
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail160 gal. (605.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine max175 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l) optional
Water capacity35 gal. (132.5 l)
Maximum people1
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3
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

Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 vs Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 or the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008?
The Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 14,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 or the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008?
For trailering, the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 has the edge at 2 695 lbs dry weight versus 10 976 lbs for the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 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 320 Cruiser 2008 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 320 Cruiser 2008 is certified for 9. 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 320 Cruiser 2008 measures 132" 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 320 Cruiser 2008?
The Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 16 gallons on the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008. That 19-gallon difference translates to roughly 57–95 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 and Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 197 Outboard Deck Boat 2008 and the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 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.