Production Bayliner boats (US models) are offered with either Mercury outboards or gasoline MerCruiser sterndrive engines depending on the model. To be more precise, the available engines and their horsepower ratings in each class are as follows:
- Element (Deck boat): 40-150hp (OB only)
- DX (Deck boat): 115-250hp (OB or I/O)
- VR (Bowrider): 115-250hp (OB or I/O)
- Trophy (Center Console): 90-300hp (OB only)
If you want to find out more about the various Bayliner engines and their power ratings, this post is for you.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know under one roof!
What Kind of Engines Do Bayliners Have?
As a rule of thumb, Bayliner boats in the US lineup are marketed with 150-250hp MerCruiser sterndrive or 4-stroke 40-300hp Mercury outboard engines. This is no surprise since both Bayliner and Mercury brands are part of Brunswick Group’s fleet.
These engines are known for durability and reliability, which is why they are also used in many other boat brands aside from Bayliner.
In this first section, we’re going to review the available engine options of the 2023 Bayliners (US models).
Bayliner Element Engines
As a rule of thumb, Bayliner Elements are exclusively marketed with Mercury outboard motors with an engine power of up to 150hp.
Thanks to their unique M-hull, these boats can be rigged with smaller engines than competitor models.
The entry-level model in this breed is the Element M15, which can be ordered with lightweight 40 or 50hp Mercury outboards.
Its bigger brother, the Element M17 is available with three different engine options, including 60, 75, and 90hp Mercury outboards.
Mid-sized models in the Element family are the popular E18 and M19, both marketed with 90 and 115hp Mercury motors.
If you are looking for the most powerful Bayliner Element, the E21 is for you. Featuring a 21-foot hull, this boat can be fitted with either a 115 or a 150hp motor.
Available models and engine options in this line include:
- Element M15: 40/50hp Mercury OB (Max: 50hp)
- Element M17: 60/75/90hp Mercury OB (Max: 90hp)
- Element E18: 90/115hp Mercury OB (Max: 125hp)
- Element M19: 90/115hp Mercury OB (Max: 115hp)
- Element E21: 115/150hp Mercury OB (Max: 115hp)
Bayliner DX Engines
While the Element family is marketed as entry-level deck boats, the DX series represents a higher class in Bayliner’s deck boat line.
They come with much heavier and larger (19’7”-21’7”) hulls that require significantly more engine power.
There are two different boats in this breed, both are available with an outboard or a sterndrive engine configuration.
The most affordable DX Bayliner is the 20-footer DX2000, offered with 115 or 150hp Mercury outboards.
Its sterndrive equivalent is the DX2050, which comes with 200 or 250hp MerCruiser ECT 4.5L MPI Sterndrive engines.
The more advanced outboard model in this breed is the DX2200, built on a 22-foot hull. This boat can be ordered with either a 150 or 200hp Mercury outboard.
Although it’s rated at 350hp, the DX2250 shares its 200 and 250hp sterndrive engines with the DX2050.
Available engines of the Bayliner DX Line include:
- Bayliner DX2000
115/150hp Mercury OB (Max: 150hp)
- Bayliner DX2200
150/200hp Mercury OB (Max: 225hp)
- Bayliner DX2050/DX2250:
200hp MerCruiser ECT 4.5L MPI Sterndrive (Alpha 1 Outdrive)
250hp MerCruiser ECT 4.5L MPI Sterndrive (Bravo 3 Outdrive)
Bayliner VR Engines
The deservedly popular Bayliner VR family enjoys traditional deep-V hulls with a length of 19-23 feet. These bowriders can be fitted with either Mercury outboards or MerCruiser ECT 4.5L MPI Sterndrive engines.
Engine options and HP ratings of Bayliner VR Bowriders include:
- VR4 Bowrider OB: 115/150hp Mercury OB
- VR4 Bowrider: 200hp MerCruiser ECT 4.5L MPI Sterndrive (Alpha 1 Outdrive)
- VR5 Bowrider OB: 115 or 150hp Mercury OB
- VR5 Bowrider: 200/250hp MerCruiser ECT 4.5L MPI Sterndrive (Alpha 1 Outdrive)
- VR6 Bowrider OB: 150 or 200hp Mercury OB
- VR6 Bowrider: 200/250hp MerCruiser ECT 4.5L MPI Sterndrive (Alpha 1 Outdrive)
2023 Bayliner Trophy Series
The Bayliner Trophy line includes many great center console fishing boats, which are available with 90-300hp Mercury outboard motors.
There are two different types of boats in this class, the M-hull-based “Bay” and the larger “CC” series built on regular deep-V hulls.
The 18-footer T18Bay shares its hull with the Element E18 and can be purchased with either a 90 or 115hp Mercury outboard.
Its bigger brother, the T21Bay is a center console variation of the E21 deck boat. The base engine of this boat is a 115hp Mercury but the 150hp motor comes as an option.
Both of these boats are intended for calmer waters like inlets, bays, or inland waters.
In contrast, the Trophy T20CC, T22CC, and T24CC have V-shaped hulls, which can even handle offshore conditions.
The T20CC can be rigged with 115-175hp outboards, while the maximum power of the T22CC and T24CC is a whopping 300hp.
Available Mercury outboards of Bayliner Trophy boats include:
- Bayliner T18Bay: 90/115hp
- Bayliner T21Bay: 115/150hp
- Bayliner T20CC: 115/150/175hp
- Bayliner T22CC: 150/175/200/250/300hp
- Bayliner T24CC: 225/250/300hp
How Much HP Does a Bayliner Have?
The horsepower ratings of production Bayliner boats (US models) range from 40 up to 300hp. Regarding vintage models, the engine power of the largest Bayliner motor yachts reached a whopping 1220hp.
Bayliner Horsepower Chart (Production US Models)
As a reference, we’ve compiled the advertised horsepower ratings of the US production models into this Bayliner HP Chart:
| Model | Engine Type | Engine Options | Max HP |
| Element M15 | OB | 40/50hp | 50hp |
| Element M17 | OB | 60/75/90hp | 90hp |
| Element E18 | OB | 90/115hp | 125hp |
| Element M19 | OB | 90/115hp | 115hp |
| Element E21 | OB | 115/150hp | 150hp |
| DX2000 | OB | 115/150hp | 150hp |
| DX2050 | I/O | 200/250hp | 250hp |
| DX2200 | OB | 150/200hp | 225hp |
| DX2250 | I/O | 200/250hp | 350hp |
| VR4 Bowrider OB | OB | 115/150hp | 150hp |
| VR5 Bowrider OB | OB | 115/150hp | 250hp |
| VR6 Bowrider OB | OB | 150/200hp | 200hp |
| VR4 Bowrider | I/O | 200hp | 200hp |
| VR5 Bowrider | I/O | 200/250hp | 250hp |
| VR6 Bowrider | I/O | 200/250hp | 250hp |
| Trophy T18Bay | OB | 90/115hp | 115hp |
| Trophy T21Bay | OB | 115/150hp | 150hp |
| Trophy T20CC | OB | 115/150/175hp | 175hp |
| Trophy T22CC | OB | 150/175/200/ 250/300hp | 300hp |
| Trophy T24CC | OB | 225/250/300hp | 300hp |
Disclaimer: This chart is for informational purposes only! For more information, please check the owner’s manuals.
Bayliner Horsepower Chart (Vintage Models)
This chart includes the horsepower ratings of many vintage Bayliner models.
| Model | Power options |
| Bayliner 5788 Pilothouse | Twin 610hp MAN diesels / Twin 590 hp diesel |
| Bayliner 4788 Pilothouse | Twin 370hp diesels / Twin 310 hp diesel |
| Bayliner 4588 | Twin 250hp diesels / 2x 220 hp |
| Bayliner 4550 | Twin 300hp diesel / 2×220 hp |
| Bayliner 4387 | 2×220 /2×250 hp diesel |
| Bayliner 4388 | Twin 310 hp diesel / Twin 250hp diesel |
| Bayliner 4087 | Twin 270 hp diesel / 2x250hp |
| Bayliner 4085 Avanti | 2 X diesel 330hp stern drive/ 2×370 hp diesel |
| Bayliner 3988 | 2 x diesel 330hp |
| Bayliner 3888 | 2x 210 hp inboard diesel / two powerful US Marine Hino EH-700 turbo diesel engines with 175 hp |
| Bayliner 3870 | 2×130 diesel inboard / twin 130-hp Chrysler Mitsubishi diesels |
| Bayliner 3788 Olympia | 2×350 hp Mercruiser inboard |
| Bayliner 3688 | 2x 210 hp inboard diesel |
| Bayliner 3488 | 2×315 hp / 2 X Diesel 250hp/ 2x 310 hp Mercruiser |
| Bayliner 3388 | 2x 310 hp inboard gas / 2x 250hp |
| Bayliner 3288 | 2x 150 hp diesel inboard |
| Bayliner 3270 | 2 x Diesel 110hp / 2×165 hp |
| Bayliner 3255 | 2 x 200 hp stern drive 5.7 L Bravo II MerCruiser / Twin Mercruiser 260hp |
| Model | Power options |
| Bayliner Capri 175 | 135 hp MerCruiser 3.0 liter stern drive |
| Bayliner Capri 185 | 135 hp MerCruiser 3.0 MPI / 190hp (max 220) |
| Bayliner Capri 215 | 220 hp / 250 hp MerCruiser 4.3 MPI (MAX 260 hp) |
| Bayliner Capri 1600 | 50-90 hp outboard |
| Bayliner Capri 1750 | 135 3.0 L Alpha I MerCruiser gas / Inboard MerCruiser 3.0 engine 140 hp. |
| Bayliner Capri 1800 | 125 hp outboard gasoline / Force 120 hp Outboard |
| Bayliner Capri 1802 | 90 hp outboard gasoline |
| Bayliner Capri 1804 | outboard Mercury XL engine at 125 hp |
| Bayliner Capri 1850 | gas Mercruiser 3.0 com 130 hp/ MerCruiser 4.3L 190hp sterndrive engine |
| Bayliner Capri 1950 | Mercruiser 4.3 V6 (190 hp) / 135 hp 3.0 L Alpha I MerCruiser |
| Bayliner Capri 1952 | 135 hp 3.0 L Alpha I MerCruiser |
| Bayliner Capri 1954 | MerCruiser 3.0L Alpha I engine at 135.0 hp |
| Bayliner Capri 2050 | 5.7L Alpha I MerCruiser MAX 250 hp |
| Bayliner Capri 2052 | 120 hp diesel Cummins Mercruiser / 145 hp 3.0 LX MerCruiser |
| Bayliner Capri 2150 | 220 hp / 190hp Gas/Petrol |
| Bayliner Capri 2152 | 220 hp / 260 hp |
| Bayliner Capri 2250 | 230 hp / 260 hp gas |
| Bayliner Capri 2350 | 220 hp 5.0 L Alpha I MerCruiser |
| Bayliner Capri 2352 | 250 hp 5.7L Alpha One |
| Model | Power options |
| Bayliner Ciera 2155 | 260 hp / 300 hp gasoline |
| Bayliner Ciera 2355 | 220 hp MerCruiser 5.0L Alpha I / 250 hp MerCruiser 5.7L gasoline |
| Bayliner Ciera 2452 | 325 hp Mercruiser / 350 hp Mercruiser gas |
| Bayliner Ciera 2455 | 220-horsepower MerCruiser 5.0-liter / carbureted 250-horsepower MerCruiser 5.7-liter engine |
| Bayliner Ciera 2555 | 308 hp |
| Bayliner Ciera 2655 | 235 hp / 5.7L Mercruiser 260 hp |
| Bayliner Ciera 2855 | 300 hp Mercruiser/ 350 hp |
| Bayliner Ciera 3055 | 2x 250 hp / 2 x 220 hp 5.7L Mercruiser |
| Avanti 3455 | 2 x 165hp |
| Avanti 3488 | 2 x 310 hp Mercruiser 7.4 L |
| Avanti 3785 | 2 x 330 hp Mercruiser |
| Bayliner 325 | 2 x 260 hp Mercruiser |
| Bayliner 285 | 300 hp Mercruiser/ 350 hp |
| Bayliner 265 | 260 hp MerCruiser 5.7 liter / 300 hp |
| Bayliner 245 | 260hp 5.0 litre MPI MerCruiser V8 / 250hp 5.7 litre MerCruiser – gasoline/ 300hp 350 Mag MPI MerCruiser (gas)/ 200hp 2.8 litre MerCruiser (diesel) |
| Bayliner 215 | 220 hp, 260 hp MerCruiser 4.3 MPI / MerCruiser 4.5 MPI 250 hp – Alpha one / MerCruiser 5.0 MPI 260 hp |
| Bayliner 205 | 5-litre 260hp V8 MPI MerCruiser |
| Bayliner 195 | 220 hp MerCruiser 4.3l MPI Alpha |
| Bayliner 192 | MerCruiser 4.3 TKS 190hp – Alpha one, MerCruiser 4.3 MPI 220hp – Alpha one |
| Bayliner 185 | 220 hp MerCruiser 3.0 MPI / MerCruiser 3.0 TKS 135 hp / MerCruiser 4.3 TKS 190 hp / MerCruiser 4.3 MPI 220 hp – Alpha one |
| Bayliner 175 | Mercruiser 3.0 MPI 135 hp engine |
| Bayliner 160 | 60 hp Mercury FourStroke / 90hp Mercury 4-Storke EFI |
Disclaimer: This chart is for informational purposes only! For more information, please check the owner’s manuals.
Takeaways
As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions on the topic!
What kind of engines do Bayliners have?
As a rule of thumb, production Bayliners in the States are available with either Mercury outboards or MerCruiser sterndrive engines.
Regarding older models, smaller cabin cruisers came with MerCruiser sterndrive engines.
Larger cruisers and Bayliner motor yachts were manufactured with either MerCruiser, MAN, Cummins, or Hino engines.
How much HP do Bayliners have?
You can expect the HP ratings of production Bayliner boats to be anywhere from 40 to 300hp. The engine power of vintage models averages between 60 and 1220hp.
Which Bayliner boat has the smallest engine?
The smallest Bayliner right now is the 15-footer Element M15, which can be rigged with a lightweight 40hp Mercury outboard.
Thanks to its special M-hull design, this boat can get on plane with this small an engine!
Which Bayliner boat is the most powerful?
When it comes to the US lineup, the most powerful Bayliner boats are the Trophy T22CC and T24CC, and both are available with a 300hp outboard engine option.
The most powerful Bayliner ever built was arguably the 5788 Pilothouse, powered by two 610hp MAN inboard diesel engines.
Which motor is in a Bayliner Capri?
Bayliner Capri bowriders were marketed with both outboard motors and 135-250hp MerCruiser sterndrive engines.
Examples:
- Bayliner Capri 175: 135hp Inline-4 MerCruiser Sterndrive
- Bayliner Capri 185: 190hp V6 MerCruiser Sterndrive
- Bayliner Capri 215: 250hp 5.7L V8 MerCruiser Sterndrive
- Bayliner Capri 2050: 230hp MerCruiser 4.3 LX
- Bayliner Capri 2350: 220hp V6 MerCruiser 5.0L Alpha I engine at
Which motor is in a Bayliner Ciera?
Bayliner Ciera cruisers were manufactured with gasoline MerCruiser sterndrive engines. Smaller models were fitted with a single220-300hp power source, while the largest boats in this breed enjoyed a twin (2x220hp) engine configuration.
Which motor is in a Bayliner Avanti?
Compared to the Ciera line, Bayliner Avantis were significantly larger models. This is why these boats were designed with twin MerCruiser or Cummins engines with a total power of 450-700hp.
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