Bayliner 249 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 249 2004 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner 249 2004 has the edge at 399 lbs dry weight versus 6 637 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 249 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 249 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 is certified for 8. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 249 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 249 2004 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007?

The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 81 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Bayliner 249 2004. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 249 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 249 2004 and the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 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 249 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007

Bayliner

Bayliner 249 2004

2004

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Bayliner

Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 249 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 249 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 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.

The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 249 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 carries 81 gallons versus 75 gallons in the Bayliner 249 2004. 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 246 Cruiser 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 249 2004 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 246 Cruiser 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 249 2004 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

Model249

ModelDiscovery 246 Cruiser

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. max

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail3,990 lbs

Weight - Detail6,637 lbs. (3,010 kg)

Weight - kg1809.83

Weight - kg3010.49

Weight - lbs.399

Weight - lbs.6637

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 8 in. (7.82 m) Rigged: 26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)

Length overall - Meters7.37

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Inches29

Length overall - Inches318

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches21

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.82

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet25

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail81 gal. (306.6 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal81

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.7L MerCruiser® Bravo® III (250 hp)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity15 gal

Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Bayliner 249 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 249 2004 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner 249 2004 has the edge at 399 lbs dry weight versus 6 637 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 249 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Bayliner 249 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 is certified for 8. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 249 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 249 2004 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007?

The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 81 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Bayliner 249 2004. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 249 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 249 2004 and the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 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 249 2004 full specs ← Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2007 full specs