Bayliner 217 2006 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 217 2006 or the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 3 409 lbs for the Bayliner 217 2006. 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 2006 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 is certified for 9. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 217 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 217 2006 or the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004?

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Bayliner 217 2006. That 58-gallon difference translates to roughly 174–290 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 217 2006 and Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 217 2006 and the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 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 2006 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2004

Bayliner

Bayliner 217 2006

2006

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Bayliner

Bayliner 288 Classic 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 217 2006 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 217 2006 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 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 2006 carries a rated maximum of 260 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 carries 113 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Bayliner 217 2006. 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 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 217 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 217 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model217

Model288 Classic

Model Year2006

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam10 ft

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches12

Draft [drive up] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 4 in. (.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. 7 in. (.79 m)

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. max

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail3,409 lbs. (1,546 kg)

Weight - Detail8,090 lbs

Weight - kg1546.3

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - lbs.3409

Weight - lbs.809

Length - Meters6.27

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters6.27

Length overall - Meters9.35

Length overall - Inches247

Length overall - Inches368

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise18℃

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard4.3 l MerCruiser? Alpha I (190 hp)

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail113 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max260 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum people12

Maximum peoplenot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters208.2

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal55

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity34 gal

Bayliner 217 2006 vs Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 217 2006 or the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 3 409 lbs for the Bayliner 217 2006. 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 2006 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 is certified for 9. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 217 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 217 2006 or the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004?

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Bayliner 217 2006. That 58-gallon difference translates to roughly 174–290 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 217 2006 and Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 217 2006 and the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 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 2006 full specs ← Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 full specs