Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 245 2006 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 245 2006 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bayliner 245 2006 at 24,0 ft versus Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 at 25,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 tips the scales at 6 354 lbs — 1 070 lbs less than the Bayliner 245 2006 at 5 284 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 300 hp for the Bayliner 245 2006 and 300 hp for the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 carries 81 gallons versus 64 gallons in the Bayliner 245 2006. 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 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 245 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 245 2006 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 246 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model245
ModelDiscovery 246
Model Year2006
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches101
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.06
Bridge clearance - Meters2.69
Bridge clearance - Inches81
Bridge clearance - Inches106
Deadrise16℃
Deadrise17℃
Draft [drive up] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 5 in. (.43 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 9 in. (.84 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail5,284 lbs. (2,397 kg)
Weight - Detail6,354 lbs. (2,882 kg)
Weight - kg2396.78
Weight - kg2882.12
Weight - lbs.5284
Weight - lbs.6354
Length - Meters7.34
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet25.58
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m) Rigged: 26 ft. 7 in. (8.10 m)
Length overall - Meters7.34
Length overall - Meters8.1
Length overall - Inches289
Length overall - Inches319
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard5.0 l MerCruiser? Alpha I (220 hp)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail64 gal. (242 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail81 gal. (306.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters242.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal64
Fuel tank capacity - Gal81
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max300 hp
Engine max300 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model5.7L MerCruiser® Bravo® III
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower250 hp
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity4
Sleeping capacitynot available
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Maximum people12
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Trailer Info
Trailer - Height9 ft. 9 in. (2.97 m)
Trailer - HeightRigged: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 7 in. (8.10 m) Rigged: 28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)
Trailer - Weight6,934 lbs. (3,145 kg)
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 8,072 lbs. (3,661 kg)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee