Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Mako Boats 181 ST Inshore 2008 vs Mako Boats 284 Walk Around 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Mako Boats 181 ST Inshore 2008 against a deep vee Mako Boats 284 Walk Around 2007 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 600 hp, the Mako Boats 284 Walk Around 2007 has a 510-hp advantage over the Mako Boats 181 ST Inshore 2008's 90-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 284 Walk Around 2007 carries 194 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Mako Boats 181 ST Inshore 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 Mako Boats 284 Walk Around 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Mako Boats 181 ST Inshore 2008 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 284 Walk Around 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Mako Boats 284 Walk Around 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mako Boats 181 ST Inshore 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMako Boats
MakeMako Boats
Model181 ST Inshore
Model284 Walk Around
Model Year2008
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 5 in
Beam9 ft. 10 in
Beam - Meters2.26
Beam - Meters3
Beam - Inches89
Beam - Inches118
Deadrise15℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [max] - Detail15 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.38
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches15
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,300 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg589.67
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.13
Weight - lbs.not available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]30 in
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet28
Length - Inches11
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 11 in
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters5.46
Length overall - Meters8.64
Length overall - Inches215
Length overall - Inches34
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail194 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters734.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal194
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine max90 hp
Engine max600 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardTwin 200 XL DTS OptiMax?
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,250 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people4 @ 600 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacityFresh: 13 gal
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailCustom single-axle
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 10 in. (with boat)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Weight2,100 lbs. (with boat)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width94 in. (with boat)
Trailer - Widthnot available