Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2009 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2009 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 260 hp, the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2009 has a 60-hp advantage over the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018's 200-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 217 Deck Boat 2009 carries 55 gallons versus 33 gallons in the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018. 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 VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 217 Deck Boat 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBayliner
Makenot available
Model217 Deck Boat
Modelnot available
Model Year2009
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches92
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20℃
Deadrisenot available
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. 8 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine 3,409 lbs. (1,546 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1546.3
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.3409
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet20.58
Length - Feet20
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m) Rigged: 21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)
Length overall - Detail20.00 ft
Length overall - Meters6.45
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches254
Length overall - Inches240
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMerCruiser
Engine model4.3L MerCruiser® Alpha I (CARB compliant)
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeinboard
Horsepower190 hp
Horsepower200 hp
Engine max260 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum people1
Maximum peoplenot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower
Trailer Info
Trailer - HeightRigged: 6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 27 ft. 3 in. (8.31 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 4,409 lbs. (2,000 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available