When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Maritime 1890 2008 and the Maritime 25 Challenger 2011 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Maritime 25 Challenger 2011 measures 25,7 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 7,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Maritime 1890 2008 at 18,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Maritime 25 Challenger 2011 tips the scales at 365 lbs — 352 lbs less than the Maritime 1890 2008 at 13 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 Maritime 25 Challenger 2011 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Maritime 1890 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Maritime 25 Challenger 2011 carries 83 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Maritime 1890 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 Maritime 1890 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Maritime 25 Challenger 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Maritime 1890 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Maritime 1890 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Maritime 25 Challenger 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.