McKee Craft Bay Classic 185  2007 boat specs
McKee Craft
McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007
2007
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VS
McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 boat specs
McKee Craft
McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007
2007
View full specs →

McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 vs McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 vs McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 70 hp for the McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 and 90 hp for the McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 carries 65 gallons versus 35 gallons in the McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 and its 90-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 with its 70-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeMcKee Craft
MakeMcKee Craft
ModelBay Classic 185
ModelMarathon 184 CC
Model Year2007
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft
Beam8 ft
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches84
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail19 in
Depth - Detail21 in
Depth - Centimeters48.26
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inches19
Depth - Inches21
Draft [max] - Detail11 in
Draft [max] - Detail17 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.28
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Inches11
Draft [max] - Inches17
Weight - Detail1,560 lbs
Weight - DetailTBA
Weight - kg707.6
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.156
Weight - lbs.not available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]25 in
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches22
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise18℃ @ transom
Body / Hull
Hull materialComposite
Hull materialComposite
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal65
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine maxMinimum: 70 hp Recommended: 90 hp Maximum: 150 hp
Engine maxMinimum: 90 hp Recommended: 115 hp Maximum: 175 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacityWeight: 1,640 lbs. Swamped: 2,850 lbs
Maximum capacityTBA
Maximum people8
Maximum people8

McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 vs McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 or the McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007?
The McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 tops out at 70 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 measures 96" wide, compared to 84" for the McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 or the McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007?
The McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007. That 30-gallon difference translates to roughly 90–150 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 and McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the McKee Craft Bay Classic 185 2007 and the McKee Craft Marathon 184 CC 2007 are built by McKee Craft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.