Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
McLay 491 Fortress Wide Body 2027 vs McLay 551 Sportsman 2026: Same Brand, Different Boat
The McLay 491 Fortress Wide Body 2027 vs McLay 551 Sportsman 2026 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the McLay 491 Fortress Wide Body 2027 has a 30-hp advantage over the McLay 551 Sportsman 2026's 60-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The McLay 551 Sportsman 2026 is rated for 5 passengers, while the McLay 491 Fortress Wide Body 2027 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the McLay 551 Sportsman 2026 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the McLay 551 Sportsman 2026 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The McLay 491 Fortress Wide Body 2027 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
Model491 Fortress Wide Body
Model551 Sportsman
Model Year2027
Model Year2026
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail1984.16 lbs. (900 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg900
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.1984.16
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 1 in. (4.91 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Inches193.31
Length overall - Inches216.54
Length overall - Meters4.91
Length overall - Meters5.5
Length - Feet16.11
Length - Feet18.04
Beam86.61 in. (2.2 m)
Beam81.89 in. (2.08 m)
Beam - Inches86.61
Beam - Inches81.89
Beam - Meters2.2
Beam - Meters2.08
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - DetailApproximate hull weight incl. motor and trailer
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg900
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.1984.16
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailTransom 20in; Freeboard 640mm
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches20
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.51
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminium
Hull materialAluminium
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardFour-stroke
Engine/s standardFour-stroke
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Engine model90 FourStroke
Engine model60 EXLPT
Engine maxnot available
Engine max60-100 HP
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters50
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13.21
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail13.21 gal. (50 l)
Operational Info
Boat typeSide console
Boat typeCuddy cabin
Warranty Info
Warranty5 years hull warranty; 3 years materials
Warranty5 years hull warranty; 3 years materials
Options / Other
OptionsOptional Yachtsman seat and base.
OptionsOptions (manufacturer, Sportsman 551): 80L underfloor tank; extra rod holders; bait-board/rod-holder combinations; auxiliary bracket; cabin windows; foam gunnels; bow rail; keel strip; glove box; lined cabin/dash; live-bait tank/pump; ski pole; queen-seat extensions; cabin/deck lights; Fusion audio; deck wash; paint/upholstery; motor/trailer upgrades.