Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 vs Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 or the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018?

The Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 is the longer of the two at 31,3 feet overall. The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 4,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 is rated to a maximum of 650 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 tops out at 300 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 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 measures 130" wide, compared to 97" for the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003. 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 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 or the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018?

The Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 has the bigger tank at 291 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003. That 276-gallon difference translates to roughly 828–1380 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 and Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 and the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 are built by Boston Whaler. 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

Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 vs Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018

Boston Whaler

Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003

2003

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Boston Whaler

Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018

2018

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 vs Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 vs Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 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 650 hp, the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 has a 350-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 carries 291 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 31,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail27.00 ft

Length overall - Detail31.30 ft

Length - Feet27

Length - Feet31.3

Length overall - Meters8.23

Length overall - Meters9.54

Length overall - Inches324

Length overall - Inches376

Beam8.12 ft

Beam10.80 ft

Beam - Meters2.47

Beam - Meters3.29

Beam - Inches97

Beam - Inches130

Draft [max] - Detail1.40 ft

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.43

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches17

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal291

Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1101.55

Engine makeMecury

Engine makeMercury

Horsepower650 hp

Horsepower300 hp

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeoutboard

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelV8 Verado

Engine 2 Engine Makenot available

Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury

Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available

Engine 2 Engine ModelV8 Verado

Engine 2 Horsepowernot available

Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp

Engine 2 Drive Typenot available

Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard

Operational Info

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Cabins1

Head1

Headnot available

Water capacity2

Water capacity46

Boat typePower

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal7

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 vs Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 or the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018?

The Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 is the longer of the two at 31,3 feet overall. The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 4,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 is rated to a maximum of 650 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 tops out at 300 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 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 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 Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 measures 130" wide, compared to 97" for the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003. 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 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 or the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018?

The Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 has the bigger tank at 291 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003. That 276-gallon difference translates to roughly 828–1380 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 and Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 and the Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 are built by Boston Whaler. 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.

← Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 full specs ← Boston Whaler 315 Conquest 2018 full specs