Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 217 Deck 2013 vs Bayliner 285 SB 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Bayliner 217 Deck 2013 against a deep vee Bayliner 285 SB 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 285 SB 2011 measures 28,6 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 217 Deck 2013 at 20,6 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 285 SB 2011 tips the scales at 8 056 lbs — 4 647 lbs less than the Bayliner 217 Deck 2013 at 3 409 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Bayliner 285 SB 2011 tops out at 380 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 217 Deck 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 285 SB 2011 carries 89 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Bayliner 217 Deck 2013. 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 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 285 SB 2011 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 217 Deck 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 217 Deck 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 285 SB 2011 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
Model Year2013
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. 11 in. (3.02 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.02
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches119
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°
Deadrise17°
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 4 in. (0.41 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail2 ft. 1 in. (0.64 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches25
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 8 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 5 in. (1.04 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters1.04
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches41
Weight - Detail3,409 lbs. (1,546 kg)
Weight - Detail8,056 lbs. (3,654 kg)
Weight - kg1546.3
Weight - kg3654.14
Weight - lbs.3409
Weight - lbs.8056
Length - Feet20.58
Length - Feet28.58
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 7 in. (8.71 m)
Length overall - Meters6.27
Length overall - Meters8.71
Length overall - Inches247
Length overall - Inches343
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelMPI / A1 (4.3 l) ECT Carb compliant
Engine modelMerCruiser
Engine/s standard220 hp
Engine/s standard300 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail89 gal. (386 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters336.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal89
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine maxnot available
Engine max380 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacity28 gal. (106 l)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity6
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people1
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3