Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 vs Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 vs Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 measures 32,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 6,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 at 25,6 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 10 976 lbs — 10 294 lbs less than the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 at 682 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.
The Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 carries 81 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008. 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 320 Cruiser 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 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
Model266 Discovery
Model320 Cruiser
Model Year2012
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - Detail8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 10 in. (3 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.69
Bridge clearance - Meters3
Bridge clearance - Inches106
Bridge clearance - Inches118
Deadrise17°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail2 ft. 2 in. (0.66 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] meters0.66
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inches26
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. (0.97 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inches39
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - Detail6,820 lbs. (3,094 kg)
Weight - Detail10,976 lbs. (4,979 kg)
Weight - kg3093.5
Weight - kg4978.63
Weight - lbs.682
Weight - lbs.10976
Length - Feet25.58
Length - Feet32
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m)
Length overall - Detail32 ft. 5 in. (9.88 m)
Length overall - Meters7.8
Length overall - Meters9.88
Length overall - Inches307
Length overall - Inches389
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters9.88
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine modelMPI / B3 (5.0 L) CARB Compliant, ECT
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard260 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail81 gal. (306.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail160 gal. (605.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Gal81
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeInboard
Engine max300 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Water capacity35 gal. (132.5 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Holding tank capacity - Gal3