Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 809 lbs for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004. 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 288 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 288 Classic 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 is certified for 10. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 share an 10 ft beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 113 gallons and 113 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 and the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 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 288 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007

Bayliner

Bayliner 288 Classic 2004

2004

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Bayliner

Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 113 gal and 113 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 3,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

Model288 Classic

ModelDiscovery 288 Cruiser

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam10 ft

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches12

Deadrise18℃

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. max

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. (0.97 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail8,090 lbs

Weight - Detail8,090 lbs. (3,670 kg)

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - lbs.809

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 7 in. (9.33 m) Rigged: 32 ft. 11 in. (10.03 m)

Length overall - Meters9.35

Length overall - Meters10.03

Length overall - Inches368

Length overall - Inches395

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters3.12

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches123

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches2

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.33

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail113 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail113 gal. (427.7 l) 93 gal. (352 l) w/ diesel engine

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard350 MAG MPI MerCruiser? Bravo? III (300 hp)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity34 gal

Water capacity34 gal. (128.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal26

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 809 lbs for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004. 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 288 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 288 Classic 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 is certified for 10. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 share an 10 ft beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 113 gallons and 113 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 288 Classic 2004 and the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 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 288 Classic 2004 full specs ← Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2007 full specs