The Mako Boats 1801 Inshore 2006 vs Mako Boats 184 Center Console 2012 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 — Mako Boats 1801 Inshore 2006 at 17,0 ft versus Mako Boats 184 Center Console 2012 at 18,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Mako Boats 1801 Inshore 2006 tips the scales at 119 lbs — 101 lbs more than the Mako Boats 184 Center Console 2012 at 18 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 150 hp, the Mako Boats 184 Center Console 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Mako Boats 1801 Inshore 2006's 125-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Mako Boats 184 Center Console 2012 carries 51 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Mako Boats 1801 Inshore 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 Mako Boats 184 Center Console 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Mako Boats 1801 Inshore 2006 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mako Boats 184 Center Console 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Mako Boats 184 Center Console 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mako Boats 1801 Inshore 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.