Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 vs Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 or the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 has the edge at 7 597 lbs dry weight versus 8 056 lbs for the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 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 285 Cruiser 2012 has a documented max rating of 380 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 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 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 is certified for 8. 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 285 Cruiser 2012 measures 119" wide, compared to 117" for the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004. 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 285 Cruiser 2012 or the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004?

The Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 89 gallons on the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 and Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 and the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 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 2012 vs Bayliner 289 Classic 2004

Bayliner

Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012

2012

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Bayliner

Bayliner 289 Classic 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 vs Bayliner 289 Classic 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 vs Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 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 2012 carries a rated maximum of 380 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 carries 102 gallons versus 89 gallons in the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 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 285 Cruiser 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 28,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 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

Model285 Cruiser

Model289 Classic

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 11 in. (3.02 m)

Beam9 ft. 9 in.

Beam - Meters3.02

Beam - Meters2.97

Beam - Inches119

Beam - Inches117

Deadrise17°

Deadrise15℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail2 ft. 1 in. (0.64 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.64

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches25

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 5 in. (1.04 m)

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. max

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches41

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail8,056 lbs. (3,654 kg)

Weight - Detail7,597 lbs.

Weight - kg3654.14

Weight - kg3445.94

Weight - lbs.8056

Weight - lbs.7597

Length - Feet28.58

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 7 in. (8.7 m) 31 ft. 2 in. (9.5 m) rigged

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 9 in.

Length overall - Meters9.5

Length overall - Meters8.46

Length overall - Inches374

Length overall - Inches333

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine modelMerCruiser 300 M MPI / B3 (350 MAG) ECT

Engine modelnot available

Engine/s standard300 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail89 gal. (337 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters336.9

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal89

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max380 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity28 gal. (106 l)

Water capacity36 gal.

Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l) waste 30 gal. (113.6 l) optional gray

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal30

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 vs Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 or the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004?

For trailering, the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 has the edge at 7 597 lbs dry weight versus 8 056 lbs for the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 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 285 Cruiser 2012 has a documented max rating of 380 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 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 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 is certified for 8. 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 285 Cruiser 2012 measures 119" wide, compared to 117" for the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004. 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 285 Cruiser 2012 or the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004?

The Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 89 gallons on the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 and Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bayliner 285 Cruiser 2012 and the Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 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 2012 full specs ← Bayliner 289 Classic 2004 full specs