The Fisher 16 Avenger SC 2005 vs Fisher Liberty 180 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Fisher 16 Avenger SC 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Fisher Liberty 180 2009 at 19,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fisher Liberty 180 2009 tips the scales at 189 lbs — 110 lbs less than the Fisher 16 Avenger SC 2005 at 79 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 60 hp for the Fisher 16 Avenger SC 2005 and 75 hp for the Fisher Liberty 180 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fisher Liberty 180 2009 carries 19 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Fisher 16 Avenger SC 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fisher Liberty 180 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Fisher 16 Avenger SC 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fisher Liberty 180 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fisher Liberty 180 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fisher 16 Avenger SC 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.