Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 217 SD 2010 vs Bayliner 265 Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 217 SD 2010 vs Bayliner 265 Cruiser 2007 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 265 Cruiser 2007 measures 27,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 6,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 217 SD 2010 at 20,6 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 217 SD 2010 tips the scales at 3 409 lbs — 2 834 lbs more than the Bayliner 265 Cruiser 2007 at 575 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Bayliner 265 Cruiser 2007 has a 40-hp advantage over the Bayliner 217 SD 2010's 260-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 265 Cruiser 2007 carries 75 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Bayliner 217 SD 2010. 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 SD 2010 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 265 Cruiser 2007 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 217 SD 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 217 SD 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 20,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 265 Cruiser 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model217 SD
Model265 Cruiser
Model Year201
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Meters2.06
Bridge clearance - Inches92
Bridge clearance - Inches81
Deadrise20°
Deadrise17℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 4 in. (0.41 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 1 in. (0.33 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.33
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches13
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 8 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail3,409 lbs. (1,546 kg)
Weight - Detail5,750 lbs. (2,608 kg)
Weight - kg1546.3
Weight - kg2608.15
Weight - lbs.3409
Weight - lbs.575
Height - Detail27 ft. 3 in. (8.31 m) rigged
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters8.31
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches327
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet20.58
Length - Feet27
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m)
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 0 in. (8.23 m) Rigged: 28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Meters6.27
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Inches247
Length overall - Inches336
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.23
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard190 hp
Engine/s standard5.0L MerCruiser? Alpha I (220 hp)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (283.9 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal75
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max260 hp
Engine max300 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Maximum people12
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Weight4,351 lbs. (1,974 kg) with boat and engine
Trailer - Weightnot available