Fisher Freedom 180 2002 vs Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 or the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000?

For trailering, the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 has the edge at 975 lbs dry weight versus 1 405 lbs for the Fisher Freedom 180 2002. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Fisher Freedom 180 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Fisher Freedom 180 2002 measures 96" wide, compared to 75" for the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 or the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000?

The Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 has the bigger tank at 18 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Fisher Freedom 180 2002. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 and Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 and the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 are built by Fisher. 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

Fisher Freedom 180 2002 vs Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000

Fisher

Fisher Freedom 180 2002

2002

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Fisher

Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000

2000

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Fisher Freedom 180 2002 vs Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Fisher Freedom 180 2002 vs Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fisher Freedom 180 2002 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 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

MakeFisher

ModelFreedom 18

ModelMarsh Hawk 17

Model Year2002

Model Year2

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96"

Beam75"

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters1.91

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches75

Weight - Detail1405 lbs

Weight - Detail975 lbs

Weight - kg637.3

Weight - kg442.25

Weight - lbs.1405

Weight - lbs.975

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Detail16' 8"

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches219

Length overall - Inches192

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter21"

Tube diameternot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard75 Max

Engine/s standard90 Max

Fuel tank capacity - Detail13gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Liters49.21

Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Drive typeOutBoard

Drive typenot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity970 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people7 person

Maximum people4 person

Fisher Freedom 180 2002 vs Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 or the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000?

For trailering, the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 has the edge at 975 lbs dry weight versus 1 405 lbs for the Fisher Freedom 180 2002. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Fisher Freedom 180 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Fisher Freedom 180 2002 measures 96" wide, compared to 75" for the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 or the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000?

The Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 has the bigger tank at 18 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Fisher Freedom 180 2002. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 and Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fisher Freedom 180 2002 and the Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 are built by Fisher. 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.

← Fisher Freedom 180 2002 full specs ← Fisher Marsh Hawk 170 2000 full specs