Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 vs Bayliner 285 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 or the Bayliner 285 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 has the edge at 648 lbs dry weight versus 7 241 lbs for the Bayliner 285 2004. 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 255 Cruiser 2012 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 285 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 255 Cruiser 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 285 2004 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 285 2004 measures 118" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012. 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 255 Cruiser 2012 or the Bayliner 285 2004?

The Bayliner 285 2004 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012. That 95-gallon difference translates to roughly 285–475 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 and Bayliner 285 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 and the Bayliner 285 2004 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 255 Cruiser 2012 vs Bayliner 285 2004

Bayliner

Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012

2012

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Bayliner

Bayliner 285 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 vs Bayliner 285 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 vs Bayliner 285 2004 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 255 Cruiser 2012 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 285 2004 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 285 2004 carries 102 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 and Bayliner 285 2004 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model255 Cruiser

Model285

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam9 ft. 10 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters3

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches118

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.01

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches79

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18°

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 10 in. (0.56 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. max

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail6,480 lbs. (2,939 kg)

Weight - Detail7,241 lbs

Weight - kg2939.28

Weight - kg3284.46

Weight - lbs.648

Weight - lbs.7241

Length - Feet25.08

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 1 in. (7.65 m) 26 ft. 10 in. (8.18 m) rigged

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Meters8.18

Length overall - Meters8.76

Length overall - Inches322

Length overall - Inches345

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

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 standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)

Water capacity33 gal

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l) waste 20 gal. (75.7 l) optional gray

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 vs Bayliner 285 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 or the Bayliner 285 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 has the edge at 648 lbs dry weight versus 7 241 lbs for the Bayliner 285 2004. 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 255 Cruiser 2012 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 285 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 255 Cruiser 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 285 2004 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner 285 2004 measures 118" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012. 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 255 Cruiser 2012 or the Bayliner 285 2004?

The Bayliner 285 2004 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012. That 95-gallon difference translates to roughly 285–475 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 and Bayliner 285 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 255 Cruiser 2012 and the Bayliner 285 2004 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 255 Cruiser 2012 full specs ← Bayliner 285 2004 full specs