Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2008 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2008 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 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 285 Cruiser 2008 carries a rated maximum of 320 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 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
MakeBayliner
Makenot available
Model285 Cruiser
Modelnot available
Model Year2008
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 10 in. (3.0 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters3
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches118
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 9 ft. 1 in. (2.77 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.77
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches109
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise21℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail7,241 lbs. (3,285 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg3284.46
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.7241
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Meters8.76
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet20
Length - Inches9
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 9 in. (8.76 m) Rigged: 29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail20.00 ft
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches240
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard350 MAG MPI MerCruiser? Bravo? III (300 hp)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal. (386 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal102
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeOther
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max320 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacity33 gal. (124.9 l)
Water capacitynot 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
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower