When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 and the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2009 measures 35,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 at 28,8 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 7 266 lbs — 6 000 lbs more than the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2009 at 1 266 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2009 has a 75-hp advantage over the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2009 carries 175 gallons versus 102 gallons in the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009. 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 340 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 340 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.