Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 has the edge at 6 637 lbs dry weight versus 7 597 lbs for the Bayliner 289 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 Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 289 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 289 Classic 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 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 289 Classic 2005 measures 117" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008. 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 289 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 81 gallons on the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 and Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 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 289 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008

Bayliner

Bayliner 289 Classic 2005

2005

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Bayliner

Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 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.

The Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 carries 102 gallons versus 81 gallons in the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 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 289 Classic 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 289 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 246 Cruiser 2008 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

Model289 Classic

ModelDiscovery 246 Cruiser

Model Year2005

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 9 in. (2.97 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.97

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches117

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 1 in. (2.77 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.77

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Inches109

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Deadrise15℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [max] - DetailHull: 1 ft. 7 in. (.48 m) Max: 3 ft. 0 in. (.91 m)

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail7,597 lbs. (3,446 kg)

Weight - Detail6,637 lbs. (3,010 kg)

Weight - kg3445.94

Weight - kg3010.49

Weight - lbs.7597

Weight - lbs.6637

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 9 in. (8.46 m) Rigged: 30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 m)

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 8 in. (7.82 m) Rigged: 26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)

Length overall - Meters9.14

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Inches36

Length overall - Inches318

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches21

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.82

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet25

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal. (386 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail81 gal. (306.6 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Fuel tank capacity - Gal81

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.7L MerCruiser? Bravo? III (250 hp)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity36 gal. (136 l)

Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Gal3

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 has the edge at 6 637 lbs dry weight versus 7 597 lbs for the Bayliner 289 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 Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner 289 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 289 Classic 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 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 289 Classic 2005 measures 117" wide, compared to 102" for the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008. 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 289 Classic 2005 or the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008?

The Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 81 gallons on the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 and Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner 289 Classic 2005 and the Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 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 289 Classic 2005 full specs ← Bayliner Discovery 246 Cruiser 2008 full specs