Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 vs Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 or the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996?

The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 is the longer of the two at 39,0 feet overall. The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 comes in at 28,8 feet, making it roughly 10,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 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 285 Cruiser 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 or the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996?

The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 has the bigger tank at 298 gallons, versus 102 gallons on the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009. That 196-gallon difference translates to roughly 588–980 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 and Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 and the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 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 285 Cruiser 2009 vs Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996

Bayliner

Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009

2009

View full specs →

Bayliner

Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996

1996

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 vs Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 vs Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 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 2009 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 carries 298 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 3988 Command Bridge 1996 is rated for 11 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 3988 Command Bridge 1996 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 39,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Makenot available

Model285 Cruiser

Modelnot available

Model Year2009

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] - Detail3.33 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters1.01

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches40

Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 7,266 lbs. (3,296 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg3295.8

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.7266

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet28.75

Length - Feet39

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 9 in. (8.76 m) Rigged: 29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)

Length overall - Detail39.00 ft

Length overall - Meters8.99

Length overall - Meters11.89

Length overall - Inches354

Length overall - Inches468

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makeCummins

Engine model350 MAG MPI MerCruiser® Bravo® III

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal. (386 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1128.05

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Fuel tank capacity - Gal298

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeDiesel

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeinboard

Horsepower300 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity33 gal. (124.9 l)

Water capacity1

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Holding tank capacity - Gal36

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Cabinsnot available

Cabins2

Headnot available

Head2

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 vs Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 or the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996?

The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 is the longer of the two at 39,0 feet overall. The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 comes in at 28,8 feet, making it roughly 10,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 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 285 Cruiser 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 or the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996?

The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 has the bigger tank at 298 gallons, versus 102 gallons on the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009. That 196-gallon difference translates to roughly 588–980 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 and Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 and the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 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 285 Cruiser 2009 full specs ← Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge 1996 full specs