Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 vs Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 or the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012?

For trailering, the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 has the edge at 995 lbs dry weight versus 1 175 lbs for the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 is certified for 5. 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 1900 VLC 2012 measures 91" wide, compared to 9" for the Blue Wave 180 T Special 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 180 T Special 2004 and Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 and the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 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 180 T Special 2004 vs Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012

Blue Wave

Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004

2004

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Blue Wave

Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 vs Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 vs Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 and 115 hp for the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

Both boats are rated for 5 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: The Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 and Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeBlue Wave

Model180 T Special

Model1900 VLC

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90 in

Beam91 in

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches9

Beam - Inches91

Draft [max] - Detail8 - 10 in

Draft [max] - Detail12 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.25

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Inches1

Draft [max] - Inches12

Weight - Detail995 lbs

Weight - Detail1,175 lbs

Weight - kg451.32

Weight - kg532.97

Weight - lbs.995

Weight - lbs.1175

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Meters5.66

Length overall - Inches212

Length overall - Inches223

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18.58

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max115 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal37

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,227 lbs

Maximum capacity1,257 lbs

Maximum people5

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialComposite

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 vs Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 or the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012?

For trailering, the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 has the edge at 995 lbs dry weight versus 1 175 lbs for the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 is certified for 5. 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 1900 VLC 2012 measures 91" wide, compared to 9" for the Blue Wave 180 T Special 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 180 T Special 2004 and Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 and the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 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 180 T Special 2004 full specs ← Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2012 full specs