Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
McLay 491 Fortress Wide Body 2027 vs McLay 571 Sportsman HT 2026: Same Brand, Different Boat
The McLay 491 Fortress Wide Body 2027 vs McLay 571 Sportsman HT 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 90 hp for the McLay 491 Fortress Wide Body 2027 and 90 hp for the McLay 571 Sportsman HT 2026. 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The McLay 571 Sportsman HT 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 571 Sportsman HT 2026 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the McLay 571 Sportsman HT 2026 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 18,5 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
Model571 Sportsman HT
Model Year2027
Model Year2026
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail2535.31 lbs. (1150 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1150
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.2535.31
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 1 in. (4.91 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.65 m)
Length overall - Inches193.31
Length overall - Inches222.44
Length overall - Meters4.91
Length overall - Meters5.65
Length - Feet16.11
Length - Feet18.54
Beam86.61 in. (2.2 m)
Beam86.61 in. (2.2 m)
Beam - Inches86.61
Beam - Inches86.61
Beam - Meters2.2
Beam - Meters2.2
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - DetailApproximate hull weight incl. 90 HP motor and trailer
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1150
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.2535.32
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailFreeboard 680mm; transom 25in
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches25
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.64
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminium
Hull materialAluminium
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardFour-stroke
Engine/s standardFour-stroke
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeYamaha
Engine model90 FourStroke
Engine modelF75XB
Engine maxnot available
Engine max90-115 HP
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters130
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34.34
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail34.34 gal. (130 l)
Operational Info
Boat typeSide console
Boat typeHardtop cuddy 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 571 HT): bait board/rod holders; extra rod holders; auxiliary bracket; cabin windows; foam buoyancy gunnels; bow rail; keel protection; lined cabin; live-bait tank/pump; seat upgrade; ski pole; walk-through transom; drum/capstan winch; deck wash; Fusion audio; lights; paint; steering; hardtop canopy; bunk upgrades.