Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012
2012
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VS
Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008
2008
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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
MakeBayliner
MakeBayliner
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
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

Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 vs Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 or the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008?
The Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 comes in at 25,6 feet, making it roughly 6,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 or the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008?
For trailering, the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 has the edge at 682 lbs dry weight versus 10 976 lbs for the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008. 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 2012 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 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 266 Discovery 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 is certified for 9. 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 320 Cruiser 2008 measures 132" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner 266 Discovery 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 266 Discovery 2012 or the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008?
The Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 has the bigger tank at 81 gallons, versus 16 gallons on the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008. That 65-gallon difference translates to roughly 195–325 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 and Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 and the Bayliner 320 Cruiser 2008 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.