Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
G3 Boats Guide V16 2008 vs G3 Boats LV 188 F 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee G3 Boats Guide V16 2008 against a pontoon G3 Boats LV 188 F 2011 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 Guide V16 2008 at 15,0 ft versus G3 Boats LV 188 F 2011 at 18,0 ft. At 46 lbs and 134 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 — 60 hp for the G3 Boats Guide V16 2008 and 75 hp for the G3 Boats LV 188 F 2011. 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 LV 188 F 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the G3 Boats Guide V16 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 LV 188 F 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The G3 Boats Guide V16 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the G3 Boats LV 188 F 2011. 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 LV 188 F 2011 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 Guide V16 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
ModelGuide V16
ModelLV 188 F
Model Year2008
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam84 in
BeamDeck Width: 8 ft
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches84
Beam - Inches96
Deadrise9°
Deadrisenot available
Depth - Detail30 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters76.2
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches3
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail460 lbs
Weight - Detail1,340 lbs
Weight - kg208.65
Weight - kg607.81
Weight - lbs.46
Weight - lbs.134
Width [transom] - Detail62 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters4.83
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches19
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]18 ft
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 ga
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max60 hp
Engine max75 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeYamaha
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,400 lbs
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs
Maximum people6 / 899 lbs
Maximum people8
Storagenot available
StorageLivewells: 1 @ 10 x 19 x 14 in., 12 gal.; 1 @ 12 x 20 in., 11 gal
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 x 25 in
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 Nosecone Gauge: 0.1
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 8 in
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight2,370 lbs
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width102 in