Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 vs Bayliner Discovery 246 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 measures 25,6 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 23,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 tips the scales at 6 354 lbs — 4 076 lbs less than the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 at 2 278 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 has a 40-hp advantage over the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008's 260-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 carries 81 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 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 Discovery 246 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 246 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 25,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner Discovery 215 Bowrider 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelDiscovery 215 Bowrider
ModelDiscovery 246
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 4 ft. 3 in. (1.30 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.3
Bridge clearance - Meters2.69
Bridge clearance - Inches51
Bridge clearance - Inches106
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise17℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 9 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11 in. (0.89 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail2,278 lbs. (1,033 kg)
Weight - Detail6,354 lbs. (2,882 kg)
Weight - kg1033.28
Weight - kg2882.12
Weight - lbs.2278
Weight - lbs.6354
Length - Meters6.32
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet25.58
Length - Inches9
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in. (6.32 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m) Rigged: 26 ft. 7 in. (8.10 m)
Length overall - Meters6.83
Length overall - Meters8.1
Length overall - Inches269
Length overall - Inches319
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard5.0L MerCruiser? Alpha I (220 hp)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail81 gal. (306.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters306.62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal81
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max260 hp
Engine max300 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model5.7L MerCruiser® Bravo® III
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower250 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 24 ft. 2 in. (7.37 m)
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)
Trailer - Weight3,735 lbs. (1,694 kg)
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 8,072 lbs. (3,661 kg)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - HeightRigged: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2