Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Element 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Element 2013?

For trailering, the Bayliner Element 2013 has the edge at 157 lbs dry weight versus 809 lbs for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005. 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 Element 2013 has a documented max rating of 60 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 Element 2013 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 Element 2013 measures 89" 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 Element 2013?

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Bayliner Element 2013. That 101-gallon difference translates to roughly 303–505 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 and Bayliner Element 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner Element 2013 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 Element 2013

Bayliner

Bayliner 288 Classic 2005

2005

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Bayliner

Bayliner Element 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Element 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Element 2013 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 Element 2013 tops out at 60 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 12 gallons in the Bayliner Element 2013. 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 Element 2013 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 Element 2013 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

ModelElement

Model Year2005

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam7 ft. 5 in. (2.13 m)

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Meters2.26

Beam - Inches12

Beam - Inches89

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

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters3.12

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches123

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18℃

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detail1,570 lbs. (712 kg)

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - kg712.14

Weight - lbs.809

Weight - lbs.157

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

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.93 m)

Length overall - Meters9.32

Length overall - Meters4.93

Length overall - Inches367

Length overall - Inches194

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet16.17

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Fuel tank capacity - Detail12 gal. (45.4 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Fuel tank capacity - Gal12

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower60 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

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people6

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeTri-Hull

Trailer Info

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,145 lbs. (973 kg) boat & trailer

Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Element 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Element 2013?

For trailering, the Bayliner Element 2013 has the edge at 157 lbs dry weight versus 809 lbs for the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005. 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 Element 2013 has a documented max rating of 60 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 Element 2013 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 Element 2013 measures 89" 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 Element 2013?

The Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Bayliner Element 2013. That 101-gallon difference translates to roughly 303–505 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 and Bayliner Element 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 288 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner Element 2013 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 Element 2013 full specs