Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
G3 Boats 188 Fish 2008 vs G3 Boats V167C 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The G3 Boats 188 Fish 2008 vs G3 Boats V167C 2006 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 188 Fish 2008 at 18,0 ft versus G3 Boats V167C 2006 at 16,0 ft. At 134 lbs and 82 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 75 hp for the G3 Boats 188 Fish 2008 and 60 hp for the G3 Boats V167C 2006. 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 G3 Boats 188 Fish 2008 carries 23 gallons versus 13 gallons in the G3 Boats V167C 2006. 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 G3 Boats 188 Fish 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the G3 Boats V167C 2006 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 188 Fish 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The G3 Boats V167C 2006 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the G3 Boats 188 Fish 2008. 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 Fish 2008 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 V167C 2006 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
Model Year2008
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Meters1.93
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches76
Weight - Detail1,340 lbs
Weight - Detail820 lbs
Weight - kg607.81
Weight - kg371.95
Weight - lbs.134
Weight - lbs.82
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters5.05
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches199
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise9.5℃
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail30 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters76.2
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches3
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail60 in
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness.080 + .080 gauge double bow
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in. x 25 in
Tube diameternot available
Tube gauge0.080 Nosecone Gauge: 0.08
Tube gaugenot available
Number of tubes2
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail13 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters49.21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp
Engine max60 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardYamaha
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs
Maximum people8 / 1,040 lbs
Maximum people4
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 8 in
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 6 in
Trailer - Weight2,370 lbs
Trailer - Weight1,460 lbs
Trailer - Width102 in
Trailer - Width84 in