Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2013 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2013 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 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 2013 measures 24,1 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 21,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 at 3,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 tips the scales at 809 lbs — 263 lbs less than the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2013 at 546 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 Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 carries 113 gallons versus 64 gallons in the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2013. 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 3,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 245 Cruiser 2013 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
Model245 Cruiser
ModelDiscovery 288 Cruiser
Model Year2013
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m)
Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches101
Beam - Inches12
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.06
Bridge clearance - Meters3.12
Bridge clearance - Inches81
Bridge clearance - Inches123
Deadrise16°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 5 in. (0.43 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 9 in. (0.84 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. (0.97 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - Detail5,460 lbs. (2,477 kg)
Weight - Detail8,090 lbs. (3,670 kg)
Weight - kg2476.61
Weight - kg3669.56
Weight - lbs.546
Weight - lbs.809
Length - Feet24.08
Length - Feet3
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m) 25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m) rigged
Length overall - Detail30 ft. 7 in. (9.33 m) Rigged: 32 ft. 11 in. (10.03 m)
Length overall - Meters7.8
Length overall - Meters10.03
Length overall - Inches307
Length overall - Inches395
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters9.33
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine modelMPI / B3 (5.0 l) ECT Carb compliant
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard260 hp
Engine/s standard350 MAG MPI MerCruiser? Bravo? III (300 hp)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail64 gal. (242 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail113 gal. (427.7 l) 93 gal. (352 l) w/ diesel engine
Fuel tank capacity - Liters242.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75
Fuel tank capacity - Gal64
Fuel tank capacity - Gal113
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine maxnot available
Engine max300 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Water capacity34 gal. (128.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Holding tank capacity - Gal26