Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 vs Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 or the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 has the edge at 3 507 lbs dry weight versus 5 497 lbs for the Bayliner 242 Classic 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 217 Deck Boat 2007 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 242 Classic 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 217 Deck Boat 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 is certified for 7. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 and Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 or the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004?

The Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 and Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 and the Bayliner 242 Classic 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 217 Deck Boat 2007 vs Bayliner 242 Classic 2004

Bayliner

Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007

2007

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Bayliner

Bayliner 242 Classic 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 vs Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 vs Bayliner 242 Classic 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 217 Deck Boat 2007 carries a rated maximum of 260 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 242 Classic 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 217 Deck Boat 2007 carries 55 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004. 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 217 Deck Boat 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model217 Deck Boat

Model242 Classic

Model Year2007

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 7 ft. 7.5 in. (2.32 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches91.5

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 4 in. (0.41 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 7.5 in. (0.8 m)

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 5 in. max

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inches31.5

Draft [max] - Inches41

Weight - Detail3,507 lbs. (1,591 kg)

Weight - Detail5,497 lbs

Weight - kg1590.75

Weight - kg2493.4

Weight - lbs.3507

Weight - lbs.5497

Length - Meters6.27

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m) Rigged: 21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Meters6.45

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Inches254

Length overall - Inches285

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max260 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l) optional

Water capacity13 gal

Maximum people12

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allRigged: 27 ft. 3 in. (8.31 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight4,507 lbs. (2,044 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 vs Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 or the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 has the edge at 3 507 lbs dry weight versus 5 497 lbs for the Bayliner 242 Classic 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 217 Deck Boat 2007 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 242 Classic 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 217 Deck Boat 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 is certified for 7. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 and Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 or the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004?

The Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 and Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2007 and the Bayliner 242 Classic 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 217 Deck Boat 2007 full specs ← Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 full specs