Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 or the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009?

For trailering, the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 has the edge at 5 497 lbs dry weight versus 6 144 lbs for the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009. 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 245 Cruiser 2009 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 242 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 242 Classic 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 is certified for 8. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 and Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 and Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 7 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 and Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 and the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 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 242 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009

Bayliner

Bayliner 242 Classic 2004

2004

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Bayliner

Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 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 245 Cruiser 2009 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 8 gal and 7 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 25,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model242 Classic

Model245 Cruiser

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18℃

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 5 in. max

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches41

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail5,497 lbs

Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 6,144 lbs. (2,787 kg)

Weight - kg2493.4

Weight - kg2786.87

Weight - lbs.5497

Weight - lbs.6144

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 1 in. (7.65 m) Rigged: 26 ft. 10 in. (8.18 m)

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Meters8.18

Length overall - Inches285

Length overall - Inches322

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.01

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches79

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 10 in. (0.56 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet25.08

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine model5.0L MPI MerCruiser® Bravo® III

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower260 HP

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity13 gal

Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - HeightRigged: 10 ft. 1 in. (3.07 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allRigged: 30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 7,862 lbs. (3,566 kg)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 or the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009?

For trailering, the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 has the edge at 5 497 lbs dry weight versus 6 144 lbs for the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009. 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 245 Cruiser 2009 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 242 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 242 Classic 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 is certified for 8. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 and Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 and Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 7 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 and Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 and the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 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 242 Classic 2004 full specs ← Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2009 full specs