The Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 is a flat-bottom design and the Fish-Rite River Barge 22 ft. 2008 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 River Barge 22 ft. 2008 measures 22,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 at 17,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fish-Rite River Barge 22 ft. 2008 tips the scales at 1 300 lbs - 700 lbs less than the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 at 600 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Fish-Rite River Barge 22 ft. 2008 has a 80-hp advantage over the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007's 145-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 River Barge 22 ft. 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 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 River Barge 22 ft. 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fish-Rite River Barge 22 ft. 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (78 in. beam) 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.