Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 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 Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 measures 25,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 23,0 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 Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 6 637 lbs — 3 592 lbs less than the Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 at 3 045 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 Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 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 Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 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 Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 is rated for 8 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 Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 204 Ski N Fish 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model204 Ski N Fish
ModelDiscovery 246 Cruiser
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 2 in. (2.43 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches98
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 11 in. (1.19 m) Max: 7 ft. 1 in. (2.16 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.16
Bridge clearance - Meters2.69
Bridge clearance - Inches85
Bridge clearance - Inches106
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise17℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 3,045 lbs. (1,381 kg)
Weight - Detail6,637 lbs. (3,010 kg)
Weight - kg1381.19
Weight - kg3010.49
Weight - lbs.3045
Weight - lbs.6637
Length - Meters6.22
Length - Meters7.82
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet25
Length - Inches5
Length - Inches8
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 5 in. (6.22 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 8 in. (7.82 m) Rigged: 26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)
Length overall - Meters6.83
Length overall - Meters8.08
Length overall - Inches269
Length overall - Inches318
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model5.0L MerCruiser® Alpha I
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail81 gal. (306.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal81
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower220 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max260 hp
Engine max300 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard5.7L MerCruiser? Bravo? III (250 hp)
Trailer Info
Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 25 ft. 9 in. (7.85 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 3,945 lbs. (1,789 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2