Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001
2001
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VS
Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021
2021
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Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 42,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail42.00 ft
Length overall - Detail20.00 ft
Length - Feet42
Length - Feet20
Length overall - Meters12.8
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches504
Length overall - Inches240
Draft [max] - Detail3.25 ft
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches39
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal298
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1128.05
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Engine makeCummins
Engine makenot available
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeOther
Drive typeinboard
Drive typenot available
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity6
Sleeping capacitynot available
Head2
Headnot available
Water capacity1
Water capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal36
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Boat typePower
Boat typePower

Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 vs Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 or the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021?
The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 22,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 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.
Are the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 and Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner 3988 Command Bridge Motoryacht 2001 and the Bayliner VR5 Bowrider 2021 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.