Matching a modified vee Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 against a deep vee Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 measures 25,6 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 23,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 tips the scales at 3 045 lbs — 2 363 lbs more than the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 at 682 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 has a 40-hp advantage over the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009's 260-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 carries 81 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009. 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 266 Discovery 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 could be the deciding factor.