Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 vs Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 or the Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009?

The Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 has a documented max rating of 130 hp. Engine specifications for the Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 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.

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

Both the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 and Fish-Rite Rivermaster 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 Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 and Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 and the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 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 Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 vs Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009

Fish-Rite

Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008

2008

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Fish-Rite

Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 vs Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 and the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 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?

The Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 carries a rated maximum of 130 hp. Engine data for the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 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 Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 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 Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 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

ModelRivermaster 17 ft

ModelRivermaster Series

Model Year2008

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam91 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches91

Weight - Detail790 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg358.34

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.79

Weight - lbs.not available

Height - Detail28 in

Height - Meters0.71

Height - Inches28

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet16

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches204

Length overall - Inches192

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail65 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessSide: 0.125 in Bottom: 0.16 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max130 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,200 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 vs Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 or the Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009?

The Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 has a documented max rating of 130 hp. Engine specifications for the Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 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.

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

Both the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 and Fish-Rite Rivermaster 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 Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 and Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 and the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 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 Rivermaster 17 ft. 2008 full specs ← Fish-Rite Rivermaster Series 2009 full specs