Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 2 278 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007. 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 215 Bowrider 2007 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 6. 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 Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 measures 91" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005. 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 288 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007?

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 37 gallons on the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007. That 76-gallon difference translates to roughly 228–380 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 and Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 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 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007

Bayliner

Bayliner 288 Classic 2005

2005

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Bayliner

Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 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 215 Bowrider 2007 tops out at 260 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 carries 113 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007. 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 288 Classic 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 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

MakeBayliner

Model288 Classic

ModelDiscovery 215 Bowrider

Model Year2005

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches12

Beam - Inches91

Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 4 ft. 3 in. (1.30 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters3.12

Bridge clearance - Meters1.3

Bridge clearance - Inches123

Bridge clearance - Inches51

Deadrise18℃

Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 8 in. (.51 m) Max: 3 ft. 2 in. (.97 m)

Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11 in. (0.89 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail2,278 lbs. (1,033 kg)

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - kg1033.28

Weight - lbs.809

Weight - lbs.2278

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 7 in. (9.33 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in. (6.32 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)

Length overall - Meters9.32

Length overall - Meters6.83

Length overall - Inches367

Length overall - Inches269

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches18

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters6.32

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Fuel tank capacity - Gal37

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.0L MerCruiser? Alpha I (220 hp)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max260 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity34 gal. (128.7 l)

Water capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal (98.4 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal26

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allRigged: 24 ft. 2 in. (7.37 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight3,735 lbs. (1,694 kg)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)

Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 2 278 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007. 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 215 Bowrider 2007 has a documented max rating of 260 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 6. 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 Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 measures 91" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005. 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 288 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007?

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 37 gallons on the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007. That 76-gallon difference translates to roughly 228–380 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 and Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 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 2005 full specs ← Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2007 full specs