Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 217 SD 2011 vs Bayliner Contessa 1985 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 217 SD 2011 vs Bayliner Contessa 1985 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 Bayliner 217 SD 2011 carries a rated maximum of 260 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner Contessa 1985 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
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 Contessa 1985 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 Contessa 1985 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
Makenot available
Model217 SD
Modelnot available
Model Year2011
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 - Feet28
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m)
Length overall - Detail28.00 ft
Length overall - Meters6.27
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Inches247
Length overall - Inches336
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeVolvo
Engine modelMerCruiser
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard190 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 - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeinboard
Engine max260 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum people12
Maximum peoplenot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower
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