Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 217 Deck 2012 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 217 Deck 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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.
Both boats are rated for 6 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Bayliner 217 Deck 2012 and its 260-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider I/O 2018 with its 200-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeBayliner
Makenot available
Model217 Deck
Modelnot available
Model Year2012
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 - Detail7 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 - Detail3,409 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)
Length overall - Detail20.00 ft
Length overall - Meters6.27
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches247
Length overall - Inches240
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMerCruiser
Engine modelMPI / A1 (4.3 L) ECT Carb Compliant
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard220 hp
Engine/s standardnot 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
Engine max260 hp
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower200 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacitynot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower