Bayliner 197 SD 2011 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 197 SD 2011
2011
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VS
Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788  2001 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001
2001
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Bayliner 197 SD 2011 vs Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 197 SD 2011 vs Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 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 SD 2011 carries a rated maximum of 190 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 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 SD 2011 carries 35 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001. 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 Mega Yacht 5788 2001 is rated for 18 passengers, while the Bayliner 197 SD 2011 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 197 SD 2011 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 SD
ModelMega Yacht 5788
Model Year2011
Model Year2001
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)
Beam17'2"/5.24m
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Meters5.23
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches206
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 0 in. (2.13 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.13
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches84
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise17°
Deadrise10 degrees
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 - Detail53,000 lbs/24,062kg
Weight - kg1222.43
Weight - kg24040.38
Weight - lbs.2695
Weight - lbs.53
Length - Feet18.58
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in. (5.66 m)
Length overall - Detail59'4"/18.10m
Length overall - Meters5.66
Length overall - Meters18.08
Length overall - Inches223
Length overall - Inches712
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine modelMerCruiser
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard135 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail800 gal/3028L
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters3028.33
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max190 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacity226 gal/855L
Maximum people1
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Weight3,548 lbs. (1,609 kg) with boat and engine
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available

Bayliner 197 SD 2011 vs Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 197 SD 2011 or the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001?
For trailering, the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 2 695 lbs for the Bayliner 197 SD 2011. 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 SD 2011 has a documented max rating of 190 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 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 SD 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 is certified for 18. 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 Mega Yacht 5788 2001 measures 206" wide, compared to 97" for the Bayliner 197 SD 2011. 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 SD 2011 or the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001?
The Bayliner 197 SD 2011 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner 197 SD 2011 and Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 197 SD 2011 and the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 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.