Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
G3 Boats 188 F 2010 vs G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a pontoon G3 Boats 188 F 2010 against a modified vee G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — G3 Boats 188 F 2010 at 18,0 ft versus G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the G3 Boats 188 F 2010 tips the scales at 134 lbs — 129 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 — 75 hp for the G3 Boats 188 F 2010 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 188 F 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the G3 Boats 188 F 2010 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 2 lbs per hp for the G3 Boats 188 F 2010. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the G3 Boats 188 F 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The G3 Boats Welded Jon - 1860 VBW 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model188 F
ModelWelded Jon - 1860 VBW
Model Year201
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Meters2.03
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches8
Weight - Detail1,340 lbs
Weight - Detail500 lbs
Weight - kg607.81
Weight - kg226.8
Weight - lbs.134
Weight - lbs.5
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 11 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters5.46
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches215
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise6℃
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail24 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters60.96
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches24
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail60 in
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches11
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.100 ga
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 x 25 in
Tube diameternot available
Tube gauge0.080 Nosecone Gauge: 0.1
Tube gaugenot available
Number of tubes2
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp
Engine max60T / 90C
Operational Info
StorageLivewell: 10 x 19 x 14 in., 12 gal. Livewell: 12 x 20 in., 11 gal
Storagenot available
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs
Maximum people8
Maximum people6 / 898 lbs
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 8 in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Weight2,370 lbs
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width102 in
Trailer - Widthnot available