Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 vs Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 or the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012?

The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 is the longer of the two at 17,9 feet overall. The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 2,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 or the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012?

For trailering, the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 has the edge at 78 lbs dry weight versus 885 lbs for the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012. 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 Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 tops out at 60 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 Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 is certified for 3. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 10 lbs per hp for the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 and Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 share an 80.25 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 or the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012?

The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 has the bigger tank at 18 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 and Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 and the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 are built by Bass Cat. 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

Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 vs Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012

Bass Cat

Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009

2009

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Bass Cat

Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 vs Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 against a flat Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 at 15,0 ft versus Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 at 17,9 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 tips the scales at 885 lbs — 807 lbs less than the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 at 78 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 has a 30-hp advantage over the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 carries 18 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 3 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 at 17,9 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 at 15,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeBass Cat

ModelSkiff Cat 16

ModelSkiff Cat 18

Model Year2009

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam80.25 in

Beam - Meters2.03

Beam - Inches80.25

Draft [max] - Detail6 - 8 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.2

Draft [max] - Inches8

Weight - Detail780 lbs

Weight - Detail885 lbs

Weight - kg353.8

Weight - kg401.43

Weight - lbs.78

Weight - lbs.885

Length - Feet15

Length - Feet17.87

Length - Inches10.5

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10.5 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10.5 in

Length overall - Meters4.85

Length overall - Meters5.46

Length overall - Inches190.5

Length overall - Inches214.5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeFlat

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail12 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14

Fuel tank capacity - Gal12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Horsepower60 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine maxnot available

Engine max90 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity850 lbs

Maximum capacity900 lbs

Maximum people3 / 435 lbs

Maximum people3 / 550 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 4 in. 20 ft. 1 in. with swing away tongue

Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 vs Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 or the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012?

The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 is the longer of the two at 17,9 feet overall. The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 2,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 or the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012?

For trailering, the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 has the edge at 78 lbs dry weight versus 885 lbs for the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012. 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 Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 tops out at 60 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 Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 is certified for 3. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 10 lbs per hp for the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 and Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 share an 80.25 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 or the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012?

The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 has the bigger tank at 18 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 and Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 and the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 are built by Bass Cat. 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.

← Bass Cat Skiff Cat 16 2009 full specs ← Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2012 full specs