Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 212 2005 vs Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 212 2005 vs Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 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 255 Cruiser 2012 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 212 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 212 2005 carries 55 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012. 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 255 Cruiser 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 212 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 25,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 212 2005 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
Model Year2005
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches98
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 9 in. (1.45 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.45
Bridge clearance - Meters2.01
Bridge clearance - Inches57
Bridge clearance - Inches79
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise18°
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 7 in. (.48 m) Max: 2 ft. 11 in. (.89 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail3,218 lbs. (1,460 kg)
Weight - Detail6,480 lbs. (2,939 kg)
Weight - kg1459.66
Weight - kg2939.28
Weight - lbs.3218
Weight - lbs.648
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 3 in. (6.48 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 3 in. (6.78 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 1 in. (7.65 m) 26 ft. 10 in. (8.18 m) rigged
Length overall - Meters6.78
Length overall - Meters8.18
Length overall - Inches267
Length overall - Inches322
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 10 in. (0.56 m)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches22
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet25.08
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelMPI / B3 (5.0 L) ECT Carb Compliant
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard260 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Engine maxnot available
Engine max300 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - HeightRigged: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 7 in. (7.19 m) Rigged: 25 ft. 3 in. (7.70 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Weight4,188 lbs. (1,868 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l) waste 20 gal. (75.7 l) optional gray
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2