Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Carolina Skiff 218 DLV 2006 vs Carolina Skiff DLV Series 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Carolina Skiff 218 DLV 2006 vs Carolina Skiff DLV Series 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 140 hp, the Carolina Skiff 218 DLV 2006 has a 50-hp advantage over the Carolina Skiff DLV Series 2012's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 18 gal and 19 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Carolina Skiff 218 DLV 2006 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Carolina Skiff DLV Series 2012 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Carolina Skiff 218 DLV 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Carolina Skiff 218 DLV 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Carolina Skiff DLV Series 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeCarolina Skiff
MakeCarolina Skiff
Model218 DLV
ModelDLV Series
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches96
Height - DetailGunnel: 26 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.66
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches26
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft
Length overall - Meters6.35
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches25
Length overall - Inches204
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail6 - 8 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.2
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches8
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail1,553 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg704.43
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.1553
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal19
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max140 hp
Engine max90 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,700 lbs
Maximum capacity1,800 lbs
Maximum people16
Maximum people9
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee