Bayliner 205 2006 vs Bayliner 285 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 205 2006 or the Bayliner 285 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 205 2006 has the edge at 2 963 lbs dry weight versus 7 241 lbs for the Bayliner 285 2004. 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 205 2006 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 285 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 205 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 285 2004 is certified for 8. 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 285 2004 measures 118" wide, compared to 96" for the Bayliner 205 2006. 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 205 2006 or the Bayliner 285 2004?

The Bayliner 285 2004 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 37 gallons on the Bayliner 205 2006. That 65-gallon difference translates to roughly 195–325 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 205 2006 and Bayliner 285 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 205 2006 and the Bayliner 285 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 205 2006 vs Bayliner 285 2004

Bayliner

Bayliner 205 2006

2006

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Bayliner

Bayliner 285 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 205 2006 vs Bayliner 285 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 205 2006 vs Bayliner 285 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 205 2006 carries a rated maximum of 260 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 285 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 285 2004 carries 102 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Bayliner 205 2006. 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 205 2006 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 285 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 205 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 205 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 285 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model205

Model285

Model Year2006

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m)

Beam9 ft. 10 in.

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters3

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches118

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 1 in. (1.24 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.24

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches49

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise20℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.50 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches20

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (.93 m)

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. max

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail2,963 lbs. (1,344 kg)

Weight - Detail7,241 lbs.

Weight - kg1343.99

Weight - kg3284.46

Weight - lbs.2963

Weight - lbs.7241

Length - Meters6.2

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet20

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.20 m) Rigged: 20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 9 in.

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters8.76

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches345

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard4.3 l MerCruiser? Alpha I (190 hp)

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal37

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max260 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum people9

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity33 gal.

Trailer Info

Trailer - Height6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m)

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Length over allStorage Length (Tongue Swung to Side): 22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 m) Rigged: 24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight3,700 lbs. (1,678 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Bayliner 205 2006 vs Bayliner 285 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 205 2006 or the Bayliner 285 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 205 2006 has the edge at 2 963 lbs dry weight versus 7 241 lbs for the Bayliner 285 2004. 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 205 2006 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 285 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 205 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 285 2004 is certified for 8. 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 285 2004 measures 118" wide, compared to 96" for the Bayliner 205 2006. 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 205 2006 or the Bayliner 285 2004?

The Bayliner 285 2004 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 37 gallons on the Bayliner 205 2006. That 65-gallon difference translates to roughly 195–325 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 205 2006 and Bayliner 285 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 205 2006 and the Bayliner 285 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 205 2006 full specs ← Bayliner 285 2004 full specs