Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 boat specs
Blue Wave
Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004
2004
View full specs →
VS
Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 boat specs
Blue Wave
Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010
2010
View full specs →

Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 vs Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 vs Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 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 150 hp, the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 has a 35-hp advantage over the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBlue Wave
MakeBlue Wave
Model180 T Special
Model220 T-Special
Model Year2004
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90 in
Beam96 in
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches96
Draft [max] - Detail8 - 10 in
Draft [max] - Detail10 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.25
Draft [max] - Meters0.25
Draft [max] - Inches1
Draft [max] - Inches1
Weight - Detail995 lbs
Weight - Detail1,300 lbs
Weight - kg451.32
Weight - kg589.67
Weight - lbs.995
Weight - lbs.13
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.38
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Inches212
Length overall - Inches264
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet22
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine max115 hp
Engine max150 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,227 lbs
Maximum capacity1,350 lbs
Maximum people5
Maximum people9
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeTunnel

Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 vs Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 or the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010?
For trailering, the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 995 lbs for the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004. 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 Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 tops out at 115 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 Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 is certified for 9. 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 220 T-Special 2010 measures 96" 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 220 T-Special 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Blue Wave 180 T Special 2004 and the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 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.