The G3 Boats 1652 VBW Welded Loose Jon 2022 vs G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 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 — G3 Boats 1652 VBW Welded Loose Jon 2022 at 15,1 ft versus G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the G3 Boats 1652 VBW Welded Loose Jon 2022 tips the scales at 400 lbs — 395 lbs more than the G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 at 5 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 — 50 hp for the G3 Boats 1652 VBW Welded Loose Jon 2022 and 60 hp for the G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008. 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the G3 Boats 1652 VBW Welded Loose Jon 2022 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the G3 Boats 1652 VBW Welded Loose Jon 2022. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
The G3 Boats 1652 VBW Welded Loose Jon 2022 is trailerable — a genuine lifestyle advantage at this size. The G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 isn't listed as trailerable, which may mean a permanent berth or mooring is required.
Bottom line: Choose the G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The G3 Boats 1652 VBW Welded Loose Jon 2022 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.