Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 vs Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 or the Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009?

The Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 is certified for 950. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 and Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 share an 91 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 and Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 and the Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 are built by Fish-Rite. 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

Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 vs Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009

Fish-Rite

Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009

2009

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Fish-Rite

Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 vs Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 and the Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 is rated for 950 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 950 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 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

MakeFish-Rite

ModelBaja XL Series

ModelSportsman Cuddy Series

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam91 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches91

Width [transom] - Detail72 in

Height - Detail30 in

Height - Meters0.76

Height - Inches3

Length - Feet18

Length overall - Detail18 ft

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches216

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail900 lbs

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg408.23

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.9

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessSide: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.16 in

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail39 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters147.63

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal39

Operational Info

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,300 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people950 lbs

Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 vs Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 or the Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009?

The Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 is certified for 950. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 and Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 share an 91 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 and Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 and the Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 are built by Fish-Rite. 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.

← Fish-Rite Baja XL Series 2009 full specs ← Fish-Rite Sportsman Cuddy Series 2009 full specs