The G3 Boats Riveted Jon - 1236 2006 vs G3 Boats Sportsman 1810 2023 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The G3 Boats Sportsman 1810 2023 measures 18,1 feet overall (2023), giving it roughly 6,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the G3 Boats Riveted Jon - 1236 2006 at 12,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the G3 Boats Sportsman 1810 2023 tips the scales at 1 190 lbs — 1 046 lbs less than the G3 Boats Riveted Jon - 1236 2006 at 144 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the G3 Boats Sportsman 1810 2023 has a 105-hp advantage over the G3 Boats Riveted Jon - 1236 2006's 10-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 G3 Boats Sportsman 1810 2023 is rated for 5 passengers, while the G3 Boats Riveted Jon - 1236 2006 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the G3 Boats Sportsman 1810 2023 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the G3 Boats Sportsman 1810 2023 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The G3 Boats Riveted Jon - 1236 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.