Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013
2013
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VS
Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012
2012
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Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 vs Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 against a deep vee Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 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 Cruiser 2012 measures 28,6 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 at 22,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 tips the scales at 8 056 lbs — 7 681 lbs less than the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 at 375 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 Cruiser 2012 tops out at 380 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 carries 89 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 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 235 Bowrider 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 22,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 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
MakeBayliner
Model235 Bowrider
Model285 Cruiser
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
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 - Detail4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m) 8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m) max
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.54
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches1
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise21°
Deadrise17°
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail2 ft. 1 in. (0.64 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inches25
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 5 in. (1.04 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.04
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches41
Weight - Detail3,750 lbs. (1,701 kg)
Weight - Detail8,056 lbs. (3,654 kg)
Weight - kg1700.97
Weight - kg3654.14
Weight - lbs.375
Weight - lbs.8056
Length - Feet22.5
Length - Feet28.58
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 7 in. (8.7 m) 31 ft. 2 in. (9.5 m) rigged
Length overall - Meters6.86
Length overall - Meters9.5
Length overall - Inches27
Length overall - Inches374
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelMPI / A1 (5.0 l) ECT Carb compliant
Engine modelMerCruiser 300 M MPI / B3 (350 MAG) ECT
Engine/s standard260 hp
Engine/s standard300 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189.3 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail89 gal. (337 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters336.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal89
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine maxnot available
Engine max380 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people11
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity28 gal. (106 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l) waste 30 gal. (113.6 l) optional gray
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3

Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 vs Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 or the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012?
The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 is the longer of the two at 28,6 feet overall. The Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 comes in at 22,5 feet, making it roughly 6,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 or the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012?
For trailering, the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 has the edge at 375 lbs dry weight versus 8 056 lbs for the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012. 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 285 Cruiser 2012 has a documented max rating of 380 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 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 235 Bowrider 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 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 285 Cruiser 2012 measures 119" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013. 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 235 Bowrider 2013 or the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012?
The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 has the bigger tank at 89 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013. That 84-gallon difference translates to roughly 252–420 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 and Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 235 Bowrider 2013 and the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 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.