Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2007 vs Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2007 vs Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2007 measures 24,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 22,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2007 tips the scales at 5 284 lbs — 3 006 lbs more than the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 at 2 278 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 245 Cruiser 2007 has a 40-hp advantage over the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008'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 245 Cruiser 2007 carries 64 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008. 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 245 Cruiser 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model245 Cruiser
ModelDiscovery 215 Bowrider
Model Year2007
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m)
Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches101
Beam - Inches91
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 4 ft. 3 in. (1.30 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.06
Bridge clearance - Meters1.3
Bridge clearance - Inches81
Bridge clearance - Inches51
Deadrise16°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 5 in. (0.43 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 9 in. (0.84 m)
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11 in. (0.89 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail5,284 lbs. (2,397 kg)
Weight - Detail2,278 lbs. (1,033 kg)
Weight - kg2396.78
Weight - kg1033.28
Weight - lbs.5284
Weight - lbs.2278
Length - Meters7.34
Length - Meters6.32
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet2
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches9
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m) Rigged: 25 ft. 7 in. (7.80 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in. (6.32 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)
Length overall - Meters7.8
Length overall - Meters6.83
Length overall - Inches307
Length overall - Inches269
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard5.0L MerCruiser? Alpha I (220 hp)
Engine/s standard5.0L MerCruiser? Alpha I (220 hp)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail64 gal. (242 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters242.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal64
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max300 hp
Engine max260 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum people12
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 24 ft. 2 in. (7.37 m)
Trailer - Weight6,734 lbs. (3,055 kg)
Trailer - Weight3,735 lbs. (1,694 kg)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)