Bayliner Capri Sport 185  2001 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001
2001
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VS
Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988  2001 boat specs
Bayliner
Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001
2001
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Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 vs Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 vs Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001 is rated for 11 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 0,0 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
ModelMotor Yacht 3988
Model Year2001
Model Year2001
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7'6"/2.29m
Beam13'11"/4.25m
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters4.24
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches167
Deadrise17 degrees
Deadrise10 degrees
Weight - Detail2,135 lbs./970kg
Weight - Detail21,500 lbs/9,761kg
Weight - kg968.42
Weight - kg9752.23
Weight - lbs.2135
Weight - lbs.215
Length overall - Detail17'11"/5.47m
Length overall - Detail39'0"/11.90m
Length overall - Meters5.46
Length overall - Meters11.89
Length overall - Inches215
Length overall - Inches468
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal/87L
Fuel tank capacity - Detail298 gal/1,127L
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1128.05
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal298
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity100 gal/378L

Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 vs Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 or the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001?
For trailering, the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 has the edge at 215 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 is certified for 11. 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001 measures 167" 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 Motor Yacht 3988 2001?
The Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 has the bigger tank at 298 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001. That 275-gallon difference translates to roughly 825–1375 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 and Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bayliner Capri Sport 185 2001 and the Bayliner Motor Yacht 3988 2001 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.