Bayliner 175 Bowrider Review and Specs [Video]

There’s no question that the Bayliner 175 Bowrider was one of the most commercially successful bowriders ever built. This affordable 17.5-foot runabout was built on a modified V fiberglass hull and powered by a 3.0L MerCruiser sterndrive engine. Her outboard variant was the similarly popular 170 Bowrider.

But in this post, we’ll review the sterndrive-powered 175 BR manufactured from 2003 through 2017.

Bayliner 175 Bowrider Review

Hull and Top Deck

Bayliner marketed the 175 Bowrider (175 BR) as the sterndrive variant of the outboard-powered 170 BR.

These models were almost equivalent, except for their power options and slightly different top deck designs.

Over her long lifespan, the 175 underwent many changes, but her modified V hull design and bowrider-style top deck architecture remained unchanged.

Due to those upgrades, her dimensions varied slightly depending on the year.

As a rule of thumb, the length of the boat averaged around 17.5 feet while its beam was close to 7 feet.

Since the storage length was less than 20 feet, the 175 BR could be easily stored in a small garage.

Her claimed dry weight ranged between 1,850-2,000 pounds alone and 2,300-2,400 pounds on a trailer.

Considering the weight of a full tank of gas and some basic gear, you could expect the gross trailering weight to be close to 3,000 pounds.

Unlike her larger siblings with different floorplan options, the 175 BR was available with just one layout.

The interior of this traditional bowrider top deck had a tiny forward lounge and a wraparound windshield with safety glass and an opening center section.

Walking through this opening, you entered the cozy cockpit, housing a sound-insulated motorbox with two aft jump seats on either side. The seats were removable to provide easier access to the transom.

Often referred to as a back-to-back lounger, the port companion seat was an adjustable “sleeper seat.”

It housed a unique scissor mechanism that allowed you to fold down the seats into a horizontal position, hence the name.

Depending on the year, the captain’s chair could have been a sleeper seat or a bucket helm seat.

Each of these seats enjoyed nice cushions and heavy-duty marine-grade vinyl upholstery, which proved to be durable in the long run.

The main drawback of this top deck layout was the lack of a sun lounger pad, which was available on larger models as an option.

In terms of capacities, the boat could legally carry seven people or 900 pounds, but she offered a comfortable cruise for only four adults or a family of five.

Fitted with a retractable swim ladder, the 12-inch moulded platform had a fairly narrow design.

However, its surface could be increased with the optional swim platform extension that added 23.6 inches to the overall length.

Captains appreciated the simple yet practical helm, fitted with a padded steering wheel with tilt steering, side-mounted engine controls, cup holders, and an easy-to-read dash.

Instrumentation included a 3-in-1 speedometer, volt and fuel meters, and a tachometer.

Other standard features included cockpit carpets, grab handles, cup holders, a ski tow eye, an audio system, mooring cleats, eyelets, navigation lights, a bilge pump, a 12V blower, a swing-away painted trailer, and more.

The 175 Bowrider also could be ordered in two different versions, fitted with either the Flight Series Package or the Fish Package.

As the name suggests, the latter was specifically designed for fishing adventures in mind.

It added a bow-mount trolling motor with a quick removal mount, 8-gallon aerated livewell, Garmin Echo 150 fishfinder, hullside rod storage, and a bow casting platform with a pedestal seat.

The Flight Series Package was specifically designed for watersport enthusiasts.

It packed some key watersport features like a wakeboard tower with an integrated Bimini top, a swim platform extension, and custom graphics.

Boats sold with this package were often referred to as the “Bayliner 175 Flight.”

Engines and Performance

Unlike her larger siblings, the Bayliner 175 Bowrider was only marketed with a 3.0L MerCrusier sterndrive engine.

This 4-stroke, 3.0-liter, Inline-4 marine engine produced 135hp and was paired with an Alpha I drive.

Depending on the year, this power mill was available in either carbureted (TKS) or fuel-injected (MPI) configurations.

When it came to performance, the 175 BR was not the fastest boat on the lake. In return, she offered great reliability and low running costs.

According to factory performance data sheets, the boat topped out at 40-43 mph and burned about 12 gph of fuel.

The optimal cruising speed was between 24 and 27 mph, where the fuel economy was 4-5 gph, enabling you to achieve a cruising range of 80-85 miles.

Specifications

The factory specifications of the Bayliner 175 Bowrider were as follows (2015 model year):

Dimensions and Capacities (2015)

Overall Length (LOA)	17’ 6”
Beam	6’ 11”
Max Draft	3’ 0”
Dead Rise	19°
Approx weight w/ standard engine	1,923 lb.
Approx weight w/ trailer	2,396 lb.
Max people capacity	7
Max people weight	885 lb.
Max weight capacity (persons, gear)	900 lb.
Fuel Capacity	21 gal.
Storage Length	19’ 8.5”
Storage Length w/swim platform option	20’ 8.25”
Beam on Trailer	7’ 11”
Height on Trailer	5’ 8.5”
Engine (std.)	135hp MerCruiser 3.0L MPI A1 ECT
Engine (opt.)	135hp MerCruiser 3.0L C A1

Disclaimer: Specifications in these charts are for informational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the operator’s manual.

Takeaways

Back in her time, the Bayliner 175 BR was one of the world’s most popular dayboats under 20 feet.

This is no surprise since this family trailer bowrider was designed with affordability in mind.

She lacked many (mostly unnecessary) bells and whistles but had simple features and basic materials. Yet, her average quality and simplicity were still adequate for many customers.

With a dry weight of under 2,000 pounds and a storage length of less than 20 feet, the 175 was very easy to store and tow even by a small vehicle.

Under the hood, you could find the proven 3.0L MerCrusier Alpha I sterndrive engine rated at 135hp.

The top deck enjoyed a conventional bowrider layout with very little room for variation.

Besides the base model, the 175 BR was also available with Fish and Flight packages designed for fishing and watersport adventures, respectively.

Unlike her outdated ancestors with plenty of wood-based structural elements, this model proved to be much more durable.

So, contrary to popular belief, this modern Balyiner can even run for decades without any structural issues.

This is why you can still see many of them out on the waters!

If you are looking for a Bayliner 175 Bowrider for sale, you can find plenty of them on Craigslist, eBay, FB Marketplace, or other online marketplaces.

Based on our research, the asking prices of the base model average between $5,000 and $20,000, while the Flight variant is typically offered for $20,000-$25,000.

Besides the outboard-variant 170, one of the closest relatives of the 175 was the more spacious 185 Bowrider.

If you are looking for a Bayliner in this size range, this model also deserves a close look.