Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 boat specs
Fish-Rite
Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008
2008
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VS
Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 boat specs
Fish-Rite
Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007
2007
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Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 vs Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 against a flat Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 measures 21,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 at 15,0 feet (2007). At 13 lbs and 55 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 has a 115-hp advantage over the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007's 110-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 Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 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 Explorer 21 ft. 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeFish-Rite
MakeFish-Rite
ModelExplorer 21 ft
ModelFishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam)
Model Year2008
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95.5 in
Beam78 in
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters1.98
Beam - Inches95.5
Beam - Inches78
Weight - Detail1,300 lbs
Weight - Detail550 lbs
Weight - kg589.67
Weight - kg249.48
Weight - lbs.13
Weight - lbs.55
Height - Detail30 in
Height - Detail28 in
Height - Meters0.76
Height - Meters0.71
Height - Inches3
Height - Inches28
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet15
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Meters6.48
Length overall - Meters4.83
Length overall - Inches255
Length overall - Inches19
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max225 hp
Engine max110 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,850 lbs
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs

Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 vs Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 or the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007?
The Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 or the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007?
For trailering, the Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 55 lbs for the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007. 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 Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 tops out at 110 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 Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 is certified for 4. 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 Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 measures 96" wide, compared to 78" for the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007. 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 Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 and Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Fish-Rite Explorer 21 ft. 2008 and the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 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.