The Fisher 1236 Riveted Jon 2006 vs Fisher 18 Spirit 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Fisher 18 Spirit 2009 measures 19,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fisher 1236 Riveted Jon 2006 at 12,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fisher 18 Spirit 2009 tips the scales at 1 174 lbs — 1 009 lbs less than the Fisher 1236 Riveted Jon 2006 at 165 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 50 hp, the Fisher 18 Spirit 2009 has a 44-hp advantage over the Fisher 1236 Riveted Jon 2006's 6-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 Fisher 18 Spirit 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Fisher 1236 Riveted Jon 2006 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fisher 18 Spirit 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fisher 18 Spirit 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fisher 1236 Riveted Jon 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.