Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 has the edge at 5 497 lbs dry weight versus 11 262 lbs for the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008. 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 340 Cruiser 2008 is certified for 10. 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 340 Cruiser 2008 measures 138" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005. 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 340 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 175 gallons, versus 82 gallons on the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005. That 93-gallon difference translates to roughly 279–465 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 and Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 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 340 Cruiser 2008

Bayliner

Bayliner 242 Classic 2005

2005

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Bayliner

Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 35,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 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

Model340 Cruiser

Model Year2005

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters3.51

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches138

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

Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 7 in. (3.23 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Meters3.23

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Bridge clearance - Inches127

Deadrise18℃

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

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 5 in. (1.04 m)

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inches41

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

Weight - Detail11,262 lbs. (5,092 kg)

Weight - kg2493.4

Weight - kg5108.35

Weight - lbs.5497

Weight - lbs.11262

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

Length overall - Detail35 ft. 0 in. (10.67 m)

Length overall - Meters7.98

Length overall - Meters10.67

Length overall - Inches314

Length overall - Inches42

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail2 ft. 2 in. (0.66 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches26

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters10.67

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet35

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail82 gal. (310.4 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail175 gal. (662.4 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters310.4

Fuel tank capacity - Liters662.45

Fuel tank capacity - Gal82

Fuel tank capacity - Gal175

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

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

Water capacity40 gal. (151.4 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Holding tank capacity - Gal3

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 has the edge at 5 497 lbs dry weight versus 11 262 lbs for the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008. 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 340 Cruiser 2008 is certified for 10. 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 340 Cruiser 2008 measures 138" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005. 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 340 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 175 gallons, versus 82 gallons on the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005. That 93-gallon difference translates to roughly 279–465 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 and Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 242 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2008 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 340 Cruiser 2008 full specs