Fisher Liberty 180 2008 vs Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Fisher Liberty 180 2008 or the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004?

For trailering, the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 1 642 lbs for the Fisher Liberty 180 2008. 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Fisher Liberty 180 2008 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 tops out at 5 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Fisher Liberty 180 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 is certified for 2. 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 Liberty 180 2008 measures 98" wide, compared to 55" for the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004. 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: Are the Fisher Liberty 180 2008 and Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fisher Liberty 180 2008 and the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 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 Liberty 180 2008 vs Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004

Fisher

Fisher Liberty 180 2008

2008

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Fisher

Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Fisher Liberty 180 2008 vs Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Fisher Liberty 180 2008 vs Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the Fisher Liberty 180 2008 has a 70-hp advantage over the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004's 5-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 Liberty 180 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fisher Liberty 180 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Fisher Liberty 180 2008 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 Sunfish 9.4 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFisher

ModelLiberty 18

ModelSunfish? 9.4

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam98 in

Beam55 in

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Meters1.4

Beam - Inches98

Beam - Inches55

Weight - Detail1,642 lbs

Weight - Detail150 Lbs

Weight - kg744.8

Weight - kg68.04

Weight - lbs.1642

Weight - lbs.15

Length - Feet19

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches11

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 11 in

Length overall - Detail9 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Meters6.07

Length overall - Meters2.84

Length overall - Inches239

Length overall - Inches112

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter24 in

Tube diameternot available

Tube gauge0.080 in

Tube gaugenot available

Number of tubes2

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max75 hp

Engine max5 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,640 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people7 / 970 lbs

Maximum people2 Persons

Fisher Liberty 180 2008 vs Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Fisher Liberty 180 2008 or the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004?

For trailering, the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 1 642 lbs for the Fisher Liberty 180 2008. 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Fisher Liberty 180 2008 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 tops out at 5 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Fisher Liberty 180 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 is certified for 2. 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 Liberty 180 2008 measures 98" wide, compared to 55" for the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004. 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.

Are the Fisher Liberty 180 2008 and Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fisher Liberty 180 2008 and the Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 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 Liberty 180 2008 full specs ← Fisher Sunfish 9.4 2004 full specs