Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 vs Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 or the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001?

For trailering, the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 809 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008. 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 Cruiser 2008 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 is certified for 18. 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 Mega Yacht 5788 2001 measures 206" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008. 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 or the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001. That 105-gallon difference translates to roughly 315–525 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 and Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 and the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 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.

Boat Comparison

Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 vs Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001

Bayliner

Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008

2008

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Bayliner

Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001

2001

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 vs Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 vs Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 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.

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 carries 113 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 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 Mega Yacht 5788 2001 is rated for 18 passengers, while the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBayliner

ModelDiscovery 288 Cruiser

ModelMega Yacht 5788

Model Year2008

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam17'2"/5.24m

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Meters5.23

Beam - Inches12

Beam - Inches206

Bridge clearance - DetailMax: 10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters3.12

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches123

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise10 degrees

Draft [drive up] - Detail1 ft. 8 in. (0.51 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 2 in. (0.97 m)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail8,090 lbs. (3,670 kg)

Weight - Detail53,000 lbs/24,062kg

Weight - kg3669.56

Weight - kg24040.38

Weight - lbs.809

Weight - lbs.53

Length - Meters9.33

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet3

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail59'4"/18.10m

Length overall - Meters10.03

Length overall - Meters18.08

Length overall - Inches395

Length overall - Inches712

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard350 MAG MPI MerCruiser? Bravo? III (300 hp)

Engine/s standardnot available

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

Fuel tank capacity - Detail800 gal/3028L

Fuel tank capacity - Liters427.75

Fuel tank capacity - Liters3028.33

Fuel tank capacity - Gal113

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity34 gal. (128.7 l)

Water capacity226 gal/855L

Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal26

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 vs Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 or the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001?

For trailering, the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 809 lbs for the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008. 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 Mega Yacht 5788 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 is certified for 18. 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 Mega Yacht 5788 2001 measures 206" wide, compared to 12" for the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008. 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 Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 or the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001?

The Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 113 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001. That 105-gallon difference translates to roughly 315–525 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 and Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 and the Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 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.

← Bayliner Discovery 288 Cruiser 2008 full specs ← Bayliner Mega Yacht 5788 2001 full specs