Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner 315 Cruiser 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner 315 Cruiser 2012 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 315 Cruiser 2012 tops out at 260 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 315 Cruiser 2012 carries 12 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Bayliner 242 Classic 2004. 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 315 Cruiser 2012 is rated for 9 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 315 Cruiser 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 315 Cruiser 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 30,5 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
Model242 Classic
Model315 Cruiser
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam10 ft. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches12
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18°
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 5 in. max
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 4 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.04
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches41
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail5,497 lbs
Weight - Detail9,098 lbs. (4,127 kg)
Weight - kg2493.4
Weight - kg4126.78
Weight - lbs.5497
Weight - lbs.9098
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in
Length overall - Detail30 ft. 6 in. (9.3 m) 31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m) rigged
Length overall - Meters7.24
Length overall - Meters9.65
Length overall - Inches285
Length overall - Inches38
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.9
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches114
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail2 ft. 1 in. (0.64 m)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches25
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet30.5
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelMerCruiser T-220 M MPI / B3 (4.3 L) ECT Carb Compliant
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardTwin 220 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Engine maxnot available
Engine maxTwin 260 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity13 gal
Water capacity33 gal. (124.9 l)
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
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee