Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012?

For trailering, the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 has the edge at 5 460 lbs dry weight versus 5 497 lbs for the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 is certified for 7. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 101" for the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012?

The Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 82 gallons, versus 64 gallons on the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 and Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner 245 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.

Boat Comparison

Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012

Bayliner

Bayliner 242 Classic 2005

2005

View full specs →

Bayliner

Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner 245 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.

Both boats are rated for 7 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 and Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model242 Classic

Model245 Cruiser

Model Year2005

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches101

Bridge clearance - Detail8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Meters2.06

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Bridge clearance - Inches81

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise16°

Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 9 in. (.53 m) Max: 3 ft. 5 in. (1.04 m)

Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 9 in. (0.84 m)

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches41

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail5,497 lbs. (2,493 kg)

Weight - Detail5,460 lbs. (2,477 kg)

Weight - kg2493.4

Weight - kg2476.61

Weight - lbs.5497

Weight - lbs.5460

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m) Rigged: 26 ft. 2 in. (7.98 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m) 25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m) rigged

Length overall - Meters7.98

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Inches314

Length overall - Inches307

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 5 in. (0.43 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24.08

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail82 gal. (310.4 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail64 gal. (242 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters310.4

Fuel tank capacity - Liters242.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal82

Fuel tank capacity - Gal64

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelMPI / B3 (5.0 L) ECT Carb Compliant

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard260 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Water capacity13 gal (49.2 l) Optional: 20 gal. (75.7 l)

Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Gal20

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012?

For trailering, the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 has the edge at 5 460 lbs dry weight versus 5 497 lbs for the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 is certified for 7. 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 242 Classic 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 101" for the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012. 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 242 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012?

The Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 82 gallons, versus 64 gallons on the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 and Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner 245 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.

← Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 full specs ← Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2012 full specs