Matching a flat Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 against a modified vee Fish-Rite Stalker Open Series 2009 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 Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Fish-Rite Stalker Open Series 2009 at 16,0 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 — 600 lbs more than the Fish-Rite Stalker Open Series 2009 at 75 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 Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 carries a rated maximum of 145 hp. Engine data for the Fish-Rite Stalker Open Series 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fish-Rite Stalker Open Series 2009 is rated for 700 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 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 Stalker Open Series 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fish-Rite Stalker Open Series 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 700 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fish-Rite Fishmaster 18 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.