Bayliner 217 SD 2011 vs Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 or the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013?

The Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,1 feet overall. The Bayliner 217 SD 2011 comes in at 20,6 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 or the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013?

For trailering, the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 has the edge at 648 lbs dry weight versus 3 409 lbs for the Bayliner 217 SD 2011. 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 SD 2011 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 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 SD 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 is certified for 8. 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 SD 2011 and Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 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 SD 2011 or the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013?

The Bayliner 217 SD 2011 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 and Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 and the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 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 SD 2011 vs Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013

Bayliner

Bayliner 217 SD 2011

2011

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Bayliner

Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 217 SD 2011 vs Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 and the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 measures 25,1 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 at 20,6 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 tips the scales at 3 409 lbs — 2 761 lbs more than the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 at 648 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 217 SD 2011 carries a rated maximum of 260 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 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 SD 2011 carries 55 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 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 SD 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 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 255 Cruiser 2013 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

MakeBayliner

Model217 SD

Model255 Cruiser

Model Year2011

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Meters2.01

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Bridge clearance - Inches79

Deadrise20°

Deadrise18°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 10 in. (0.56 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inches22

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 - Detail6,480 lbs. (2,939 kg)

Weight - kg1546.3

Weight - kg2939.28

Weight - lbs.3409

Weight - lbs.648

Length - Feet20.58

Length - Feet25.08

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m)

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 1 in. (7.65 m) 26 ft. 10 in. (8.18 m) rigged

Length overall - Meters6.27

Length overall - Meters8.18

Length overall - Inches247

Length overall - Inches322

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelMerCruiser

Engine modelMPI / B3 (5.0 l) ECT Carb compliant

Engine/s standard190 hp

Engine/s standard260 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Engine max260 hp

Engine maxnot available

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) waste 20 gal. (75.7 l) optional gray

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight4,351 lbs. (1,974 kg) with boat and engine

Trailer - Weightnot available

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

Trailer - Widthnot available

Bayliner 217 SD 2011 vs Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 or the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013?

The Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,1 feet overall. The Bayliner 217 SD 2011 comes in at 20,6 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 or the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013?

For trailering, the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 has the edge at 648 lbs dry weight versus 3 409 lbs for the Bayliner 217 SD 2011. 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 SD 2011 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 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 SD 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 is certified for 8. 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 SD 2011 and Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 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 SD 2011 or the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013?

The Bayliner 217 SD 2011 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 and Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 217 SD 2011 and the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 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 SD 2011 full specs ← Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2013 full specs