Birchwood 340 Open 2002 vs Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Birchwood 340 Open 2002 or the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001?

The Birchwood 340 Open 2002 is the longer of the two at 36,0 feet overall. The Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 comes in at 34,1 feet, making it roughly 1,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Birchwood 340 Open 2002 is rated to a maximum of 240 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 tops out at 200 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 Birchwood 340 Open 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 is certified for 10. 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 Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 measures 146" wide, compared to 123" for the Birchwood 340 Open 2002. 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 Birchwood 340 Open 2002 or the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001?

The Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 has the bigger tank at 199 gallons, versus 123 gallons on the Birchwood 340 Open 2002. That 76-gallon difference translates to roughly 228–380 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Birchwood 340 Open 2002 and Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Birchwood 340 Open 2002 and the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 are built by Birchwood. 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

Birchwood 340 Open 2002 vs Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001

Birchwood

Birchwood 340 Open 2002

2002

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Birchwood

Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001

2001

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Birchwood 340 Open 2002 vs Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Birchwood 340 Open 2002 vs Birchwood 360 Challenger 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 240 hp, the Birchwood 340 Open 2002 has a 40-hp advantage over the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001's 200-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 carries 199 gallons versus 123 gallons in the Birchwood 340 Open 2002. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 10 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.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Birchwood 340 Open 2002 and its 240-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 with its 200-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail36.00 ft

Length overall - Detail34.10 ft

Length - Feet36

Length - Feet34.1

Length overall - Meters10.97

Length overall - Meters10.39

Length overall - Inches432

Length overall - Inches409

Beam10.23 ft

Beam12.20 ft

Beam - Meters3.12

Beam - Meters3.72

Beam - Inches123

Beam - Inches146

Draft [max] - Detail3.11 ft

Draft [max] - Detail3.10 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.95

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches37

Displacement9920.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal123

Fuel tank capacity - Gal199

Fuel tank capacity - Liters465.61

Fuel tank capacity - Liters753.3

Engine makeVolvo

Engine modelV6

Engine modelnot available

Horsepower240 hp

Horsepower200 hp

Fuel typeDiesel

Drive typeinboard

Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo

Engine 2 Engine ModelV6

Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available

Engine 2 Horsepower240 hp

Engine 2 Horsepower200 hp

Engine 2 Fuel TypeDiesel

Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard

Operational Info

Sleeping capacity4

Cabins2

Head1

Water capacity30.7

Water capacity82.16

Boat typePower

Birchwood 340 Open 2002 vs Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Birchwood 340 Open 2002 or the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001?

The Birchwood 340 Open 2002 is the longer of the two at 36,0 feet overall. The Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 comes in at 34,1 feet, making it roughly 1,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Birchwood 340 Open 2002 is rated to a maximum of 240 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 tops out at 200 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 Birchwood 340 Open 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 is certified for 10. 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 Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 measures 146" wide, compared to 123" for the Birchwood 340 Open 2002. 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 Birchwood 340 Open 2002 or the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001?

The Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 has the bigger tank at 199 gallons, versus 123 gallons on the Birchwood 340 Open 2002. That 76-gallon difference translates to roughly 228–380 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Birchwood 340 Open 2002 and Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Birchwood 340 Open 2002 and the Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 are built by Birchwood. 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.

← Birchwood 340 Open 2002 full specs ← Birchwood 360 Challenger 2001 full specs