Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 vs Bayliner Element M17 2022 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 vs Bayliner Element M17 2022 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 260 hp, the Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 has a 170-hp advantage over the Bayliner Element M17 2022's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Bayliner Element M17 2022 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 215 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Discovery 215 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner Element M17 2022 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
Makenot available
ModelDiscovery 215
Modelnot available
Model Year2009
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 4 ft. 3 in. (1.30 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.3
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches51
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise18℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 11 in. (0.89 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - DetailWith Standard Engine: 2,785 lbs. (1,263 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1263.25
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.2785
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet20.75
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in. (6.32 m) Rigged: 22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)
Length overall - Detail17.00 ft
Length overall - Meters6.83
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches269
Length overall - Inches204
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMERCURY
Engine model5.0L MerCruiser® Alpha I
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeoutboard
Horsepower220 hp
Horsepower90 hp
Engine max260 hp
Engine maxnot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - HeightRigged: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Length over allRigged: 24 ft. 2 in. (7.37 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - WeightWith Standard Engine: 3,685 lbs. (1,672 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Operational Info
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower