Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Mainship Expedition 2008 vs Mainship Pilot 30 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Mainship Expedition 2008 vs Mainship Pilot 30 2007 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 Mainship Expedition 2008 measures 41,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Mainship Pilot 30 2007 at 33,0 feet (2007). At 24 lbs and 11 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.
The Mainship Expedition 2008 carries a rated maximum of 260 hp. Engine data for the Mainship Pilot 30 2007 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Mainship Pilot 30 2007 carries 175 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Mainship Expedition 2008. 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 Mainship Expedition 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Mainship Pilot 30 2007 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mainship Expedition 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Mainship Expedition 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 41,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mainship Pilot 30 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelExpedition
ModelPilot? 3
Model Year2008
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam14 ft. 2 in. (4.32 m)
Beam10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m)
Beam - Meters4.32
Beam - Meters3.12
Beam - Inches17
Beam - Inches123
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 8 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft. 6 in. (0.76 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Inches44
Draft [max] - Inches3
Weight - Detail24,000 lbs. (10,896 kg)
Weight - DetailExpress: 10,000 lbs. (4,540 kg) Sedan: 11,000 lbs. (4,994 kg)
Weight - kg10886.21
Weight - kg4989.51
Weight - lbs.24
Weight - lbs.11
Height - DetailAir Draft: 19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters5.84
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches23
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Meters12.6
Length - Meters10.08
Length - Feet41
Length - Feet33
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 4 in. (12.6 m)
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m)
Length overall - Meters12.6
Length overall - Meters10.08
Length overall - Inches496
Length overall - Inches397
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailAir Draft: 8 ft. (2.44 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.44
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches96
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeSemi Displacement
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail300 gal. (1,136 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail175 gal. (662 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Liters662.45
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal175
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine maxTwin: 260 hp ea. (194 kW ea.)
Engine maxSingle Yanmar, 315 hp (235 kW)
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Headroom6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)
Sleeping capacity6
Sleeping capacity2
Water capacity130 gal. (492 l)
Water capacity40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail47 gal. (178 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail13 gal. (49 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters177.91
Holding tank capacity - Liters49.21
Holding tank capacity - Gal47
Holding tank capacity - Gal13