Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Mainship Expedition 2009 vs Mainship Pilot 43 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Mainship Expedition 2009 vs Mainship Pilot 43 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 Pilot 43 2007 measures 47,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Mainship Expedition 2009 at 38,0 feet (2009). At 24 lbs and 38 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 2009 carries a rated maximum of 260 hp. Engine data for the Mainship Pilot 43 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 43 2007 carries 777 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Mainship Expedition 2009. 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 Pilot 43 2007 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Mainship Expedition 2009 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mainship Pilot 43 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Mainship Pilot 43 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 47,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mainship Expedition 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelExpedition
ModelPilot? 43
Model Year2009
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam14 ft. 2 in. (4.32 m)
Beam15 ft. 6 in. (4.72 m)
Beam - Meters4.32
Beam - Meters4.72
Beam - Inches17
Beam - Inches186
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 8 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 8 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches44
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail24,000 lbs. (10,896 kg)
Weight - Detail38,000 lbs. (17,252 kg)
Weight - kg10886.21
Weight - kg17236.5
Weight - lbs.24
Weight - lbs.38
Height - DetailClearance (Air Draft): 19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters5.84
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches23
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Meters11.68
Length - Meters14.55
Length - Feet38
Length - Feet47
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches9
Length [over all with swim platform]41 ft. 4 in. (12.6 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 4 in. (11.68 m)
Length overall - Detail47 ft. 9 in. (14.55 m)
Length overall - Meters11.68
Length overall - Meters14.55
Length overall - Inches46
Length overall - Inches573
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailAir Draft: 10 ft. 7 in. (3.23 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters3.23
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches127
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeSemi Displacement
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of enginesnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail300 gal. (1,136 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail777 gal. (2,941 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Liters2941.26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal777
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Engine maxTwin: 260 hp ea. (194 kW ea.)
Engine maxTwin diesels, 440-540 hp (each)
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.91 m)
Sleeping capacity6
Sleeping capacity4-6
Water capacity130 gal. (492 l)
Water capacity200 gal. (757 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail47 gal. (178 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters177.91
Holding tank capacity - Liters211.98
Holding tank capacity - Gal47
Holding tank capacity - Gal56