Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
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
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