Bayliner Capri Sport 185  2001 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001
2001
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VS
Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008
2008
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Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 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 288 Cruiser 2008 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 carries 113 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001. 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 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 Capri Sport 185 2001 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBayliner
MakeBayliner
ModelCapri Sport 185
ModelDiscovery 288 Cruiser
Model Year2001
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7'6"/2.29m
Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches12
Deadrise17 degrees
Deadrise18℃
Weight - Detail2,135 lbs./970kg
Weight - Detail8,090 lbs. (3,670 kg)
Weight - kg968.42
Weight - kg3669.56
Weight - lbs.2135
Weight - lbs.809
Length overall - Detail17'11"/5.47m
Length overall - Detail30 ft. 7 in. (9.33 m) Rigged: 32 ft. 11 in. (10.03 m)
Length overall - Meters5.46
Length overall - Meters10.03
Length overall - Inches215
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
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. (0.97 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches38
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters9.33
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal/87L
Fuel tank capacity - Detail113 gal. (427.7 l) 93 gal. (352 l) w/ diesel engine
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
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
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
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

Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?
For trailering, the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the edge at 809 lbs dry weight versus 2 135 lbs for the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001. 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 2008 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 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 Capri Sport 185 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 measures 12" wide, compared to 9" for the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001. 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 Capri Sport 185 2001 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008?
The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001. That 90-gallon difference translates to roughly 270–450 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 and Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 and the Bayliner Discovery 288 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.