Matching a modified vee Fish-Rite Explorer 16 ft. 2007 against a flat Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Fish-Rite Explorer 16 ft. 2007 at 16,0 ft versus Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 tips the scales at 675 lbs — 668 lbs less than the Fish-Rite Explorer 16 ft. 2007 at 7 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 125 hp for the Fish-Rite Explorer 16 ft. 2007 and 145 hp for the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008. 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Explorer 16 ft. 2007 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Fish-Rite Explorer 16 ft. 2007 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 5 lbs per hp for the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.