Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 vs Bayliner Discovery 210 Cuddy Cabin 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 vs Bayliner Discovery 210 Cuddy Cabin 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 285 Cruiser 2009 measures 28,8 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 26,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner Discovery 210 Cuddy Cabin 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 7 266 lbs — 4 274 lbs more than the Bayliner Discovery 210 Cuddy Cabin 2008 at 2 992 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 300 hp, the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 has a 40-hp advantage over the Bayliner Discovery 210 Cuddy Cabin 2008's 260-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 285 Cruiser 2009 carries 102 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Bayliner Discovery 210 Cuddy Cabin 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 285 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 210 Cuddy Cabin 2008 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 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner Discovery 210 Cuddy Cabin 2008 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
Model285 Cruiser
ModelDiscovery 210 Cuddy Cabin
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 10 in. (3.0 m)
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m)
Beam - Meters3
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches118
Beam - Inches96
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 9 ft. 1 in. (2.77 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 4 ft. 6 in. (1.37 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.77
Bridge clearance - Meters1.37
Bridge clearance - Inches109
Bridge clearance - Inches54
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 7 in. (0.48 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] meters0.48
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [drive up] inches19
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 0 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 7,266 lbs. (3,296 kg)
Weight - Detail2,992 lbs. (1,357 kg)
Weight - kg3295.8
Weight - kg1357.15
Weight - lbs.7266
Weight - lbs.2992
Length - Feet28.75
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 9 in. (8.76 m) Rigged: 29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in. (6.32 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 8 in. (6.91 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters6.91
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches272
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.32
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches9
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model350 MAG MPI MerCruiser® Bravo® III
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal. (386 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal102
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower300 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max300 hp
Engine max260 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard5.0L MerCruiser? Alpha I (220 hp)
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
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 24 ft. 2 in. (7.37 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight3,942 lbs. (1,788 kg)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)