Bayliner 265 2004 vs Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 265 2004 or the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011?

For trailering, the Bayliner 265 2004 has the edge at 6 350 lbs dry weight versus 6 820 lbs for the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011. 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 266 Discovery 2011 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 265 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 265 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 is certified for 10. 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 265 2004 measures 113" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011. 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 265 2004 or the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011?

The Bayliner 265 2004 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 81 gallons on the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 265 2004 and Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 265 2004 and the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 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 265 2004 vs Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011

Bayliner

Bayliner 265 2004

2004

View full specs →

Bayliner

Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 265 2004 vs Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 265 2004 vs Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 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 266 Discovery 2011 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 265 2004 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 84 gal and 81 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner 265 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 25,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 265 2004 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

MakeBayliner

Model265

Model266 Discovery

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 5 in.

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.87

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches113

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise17°

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. max

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail6,350 lbs.

Weight - Detail6,820 lbs. (3,093 kg)

Weight - kg2880.31

Weight - kg3093.5

Weight - lbs.6350

Weight - lbs.6820

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 7 in.

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m)

Length overall - Meters8.1

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Inches319

Length overall - Inches307

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail8 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 - Feetnot available

Length - Feet25.58

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail84 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail81 gal. (306.6 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters317.97

Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal81

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelMerCruiser

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard260 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity31 gal.

Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people10

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 - Gal20

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight8,048 lbs. (3,813 kg) with boat and engine

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Bayliner 265 2004 vs Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 265 2004 or the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011?

For trailering, the Bayliner 265 2004 has the edge at 6 350 lbs dry weight versus 6 820 lbs for the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011. 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 266 Discovery 2011 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 265 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 265 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 is certified for 10. 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 265 2004 measures 113" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011. 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 265 2004 or the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011?

The Bayliner 265 2004 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 81 gallons on the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 265 2004 and Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 265 2004 and the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 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 265 2004 full specs ← Bayliner 266 Discovery 2011 full specs