Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009?

For trailering, the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 has the edge at 773 lbs dry weight versus 809 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009. 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 288 2009 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 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 Ciera Classic 2859 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 measures 117" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009. 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 Ciera Classic 2859 2001 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 102 gallons on the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001. That 11-gallon difference translates to roughly 33–55 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 and Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 and the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 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 Ciera Classic 2859 2001 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 2009

Bayliner

Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001

2001

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Bayliner

Bayliner Discovery 288 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 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 2009 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 carries 113 gallons versus 102 gallons in the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 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 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 30,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 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

ModelCiera Classic 2859

ModelDiscovery 288

Model Year2001

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9'9"/2.97m

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam - Meters2.97

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches117

Beam - Inches12

Deadrise15 degrees

Deadrise18℃

Weight - Detail7,730 lbs./3,509kg

Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 8,090 lbs. (3,670 kg)

Weight - kg3506.27

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - lbs.773

Weight - lbs.809

Length overall - Detail27'8"/8.44m

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 7 in. (9.33 m) Rigged: 32 ft. 11 in. (10.03 m)

Length overall - Meters8.43

Length overall - Meters10.03

Length overall - Inches332

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 - Feetnot available

Length - Feet30.58

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal/386L

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

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine model350 MAG MPI MerCruiser® Bravo® III

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity36 gal/136L

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 vs Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009?

For trailering, the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 has the edge at 773 lbs dry weight versus 809 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009. 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 2009 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 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 Ciera Classic 2859 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 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 Ciera Classic 2859 2001 measures 117" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009. 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 Ciera Classic 2859 2001 or the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 102 gallons on the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001. That 11-gallon difference translates to roughly 33–55 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 and Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner Ciera Classic 2859 2001 and the Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 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 Ciera Classic 2859 2001 full specs ← Bayliner Discovery 288 2009 full specs