Bayliner 215 BR 2012 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 215 BR 2012 or the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005?

For trailering, the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 3 044 lbs for the Bayliner 215 BR 2012. 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 215 BR 2012 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 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 215 BR 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 is certified for 9. 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 215 BR 2012 measures 98" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005. 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 215 BR 2012 or the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005?

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 37 gallons on the Bayliner 215 BR 2012. That 76-gallon difference translates to roughly 228–380 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 215 BR 2012 and Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 215 BR 2012 and the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 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 215 BR 2012 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2005

Bayliner

Bayliner 215 BR 2012

2012

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Bayliner

Bayliner 288 Classic 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 215 BR 2012 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 215 BR 2012 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 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 215 BR 2012 carries a rated maximum of 260 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 carries 113 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Bayliner 215 BR 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 288 Classic 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 215 BR 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 215 BR 2012 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

MakeBayliner

Model215 BR

Model288 Classic

Model Year2012

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 2 in. (2.43 m)

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches98

Beam - Inches12

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 11 in. (1.19 m) 7 ft. 1 in. (2.16 m) max

Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.16

Bridge clearance - Meters3.12

Bridge clearance - Inches85

Bridge clearance - Inches123

Deadrise20°

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)

Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.51 m) Max: 3 ft. 2 in. (.97 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail3,044 lbs. (1,381 kg)

Weight - Detail8,090 lbs. (3,670 kg)

Weight - kg1380.73

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - lbs.3044

Weight - lbs.809

Length - Feet20.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.25 m)

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 7 in. (9.33 m)

Length overall - Meters6.25

Length overall - Meters9.32

Length overall - Inches246

Length overall - Inches367

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine modelMPI / A1 (4.3 L) ECT Carb Compliant

Engine modelnot available

Engine/s standard220 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail113 gal. (427.7 l) 93 gal. w/diesel engine (352 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal37

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max260 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity34 gal. (128.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal (98.4 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal26

Bayliner 215 BR 2012 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 215 BR 2012 or the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005?

For trailering, the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 3 044 lbs for the Bayliner 215 BR 2012. 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 215 BR 2012 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 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 215 BR 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 is certified for 9. 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 215 BR 2012 measures 98" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005. 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 215 BR 2012 or the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005?

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 37 gallons on the Bayliner 215 BR 2012. That 76-gallon difference translates to roughly 228–380 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 215 BR 2012 and Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 215 BR 2012 and the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 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 215 BR 2012 full specs ← Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 full specs