Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 235 BR 2012 vs Bayliner 315 SB 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Bayliner 235 BR 2012 against a deep vee Bayliner 315 SB 2011 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 315 SB 2011 measures 30,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 235 BR 2012 at 22,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 315 SB 2011 tips the scales at 9 098 lbs — 8 723 lbs less than the Bayliner 235 BR 2012 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Bayliner 235 BR 2012 has a 40-hp advantage over the Bayliner 315 SB 2011's 260-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 315 SB 2011 carries 12 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Bayliner 235 BR 2012. 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 BR 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner 315 SB 2011 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 235 BR 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 235 BR 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 22,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 315 SB 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model Year2012
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches12
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°
Deadrise18°
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. 4 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail3,750 lbs. (1,701 kg)
Weight - Detail9,098 lbs. (4,127 kg)
Weight - kg1700.97
Weight - kg4126.78
Weight - lbs.375
Weight - lbs.9098
Length - Feet22.5
Length - Feet30.5
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)
Length overall - Detail30 ft. 6 in. (9.30 m)
Length overall - Meters6.86
Length overall - Meters9.3
Length overall - Inches27
Length overall - Inches366
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
Engine/s standard260 hp
Engine/s standardDual 220 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189.3 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Engine max300 hp
Engine maxDual 260 hp
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity33 gal. (124.9 l)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people1
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3