Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 vs Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 or the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001?

For trailering, the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 has the edge at 215 lbs dry weight versus 682 lbs for the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012. 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 2012 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 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 266 Discovery 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 is certified for 11. 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001 measures 167" 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 or the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001?

The Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 has the bigger tank at 298 gallons, versus 81 gallons on the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012. That 217-gallon difference translates to roughly 651–1085 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 and Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 and the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 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 266 Discovery 2012 vs Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001

Bayliner

Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012

2012

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Bayliner

Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001

2001

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 vs Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 vs Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 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 2012 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 carries 298 gallons versus 81 gallons in the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012. 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001 is rated for 11 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 0,0 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

Model266 Discovery

ModelMotor Yacht 3988

Model Year2012

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam13'11"/4.25m

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters4.24

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches167

Bridge clearance - Detail8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise17°

Deadrise10 degrees

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail6,820 lbs. (3,094 kg)

Weight - Detail21,500 lbs/9,761kg

Weight - kg3093.5

Weight - kg9752.23

Weight - lbs.682

Weight - lbs.215

Length - Feet25.58

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length overall - Detail39'0"/11.90m

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Meters11.89

Length overall - Inches307

Length overall - Inches468

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) 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 - Detail298 gal/1,127L

Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1128.05

Fuel tank capacity - Gal81

Fuel tank capacity - Gal298

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)

Water capacity100 gal/378L

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

Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 vs Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 or the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001?

For trailering, the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 has the edge at 215 lbs dry weight versus 682 lbs for the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012. 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001 is certified for 11. 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001 measures 167" 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001?

The Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 has the bigger tank at 298 gallons, versus 81 gallons on the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012. That 217-gallon difference translates to roughly 651–1085 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 and Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 266 Discovery 2012 and the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 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 266 Discovery 2012 full specs ← Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 full specs