Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 255 2010 vs Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Bayliner 255 2010 against a modified vee Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 255 2010 measures 25,1 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 at 20,8 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 255 2010 tips the scales at 6 144 lbs — 3 359 lbs more than the Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 at 2 785 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 — 260 hp for the Bayliner 255 2010 and 260 hp for the Bayliner Discovery 215 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 215 2009 carries 37 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Bayliner 255 2010. 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 255 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 255 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 255 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 25,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 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
Model255
ModelDiscovery 215
Model Year201
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches97
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 4 ft. 3 in. (1.30 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.01
Bridge clearance - Meters1.3
Bridge clearance - Inches79
Bridge clearance - Inches51
Deadrise18°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 10 in. (0.56 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11 in. (0.89 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches39
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail6,144 lbs. (2,787 kg)
Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 2,785 lbs. (1,263 kg)
Weight - kg2786.87
Weight - kg1263.25
Weight - lbs.6144
Weight - lbs.2785
Height - Detail10 ft. 1 in. (3.07 m) rigged
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters3.07
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches121
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet25.08
Length - Feet20.75
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 1 in. (7.65 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in. (6.32 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)
Length overall - Meters7.65
Length overall - Meters6.83
Length overall - Inches301
Length overall - Inches269
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard260 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max260 hp
Engine max260 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model5.0L MerCruiser® Alpha I
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower220 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum people8
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 all30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 24 ft. 2 in. (7.37 m)
Trailer - Weight7,882 lbs. (3,575 kg) with boat and engine
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 3,685 lbs. (1,672 kg)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - HeightRigged: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)