Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 vs Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 or the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011?

For trailering, the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 has the edge at 1 175 lbs dry weight versus 1 900 lbs for the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011. 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 is certified for 9. 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 Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 89" for the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004. 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: Are the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 and Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 and the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 are built by Blue Wave. 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

Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 vs Blue Wave 250 Open 2011

Blue Wave

Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004

2004

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Blue Wave

Blue Wave 250 Open 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 vs Blue Wave 250 Open 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 vs Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 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 225 hp, the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 has a 75-hp advantage over the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004's 150-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 Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 24,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 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

MakeBlue Wave

Model200 V-Bay

Model250 Open

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam89 in.

Beam102 in.

Beam - Meters2.26

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches89

Beam - Inches102

Draft [max] - Detail12 in. approx.

Draft [max] - Detailn/a

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches12

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,175 lbs.

Weight - Detail1,900 lbs.

Weight - kg532.97

Weight - kg861.82

Weight - lbs.1175

Weight - lbs.1900

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 2 in.

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Meters6.15

Length overall - Meters7.47

Length overall - Inches242

Length overall - Inches294

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max150 hp

Engine max225 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail43 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters162.77

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal43

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,469 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,950 lbs.

Maximum people6

Maximum people9

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 vs Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 or the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011?

For trailering, the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 has the edge at 1 175 lbs dry weight versus 1 900 lbs for the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011. 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 is certified for 9. 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 Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 89" for the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004. 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.

Are the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 and Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 and the Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 are built by Blue Wave. 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.

← Blue Wave 200 V-Bay 2004 full specs ← Blue Wave 250 Open 2011 full specs