The Misty Harbor 1460FS 2005 vs Misty Harbor 1680EC 2009 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Misty Harbor 1460FS 2005 at 14,0 ft versus Misty Harbor 1680EC 2009 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Misty Harbor 1460FS 2005 tips the scales at 525 lbs — 446 lbs more than the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2009 at 79 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 30 hp, the Misty Harbor 1460FS 2005 has a 26-hp advantage over the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2009's 4-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 Misty Harbor 1680EC 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Misty Harbor 1460FS 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Misty Harbor 1460FS 2005 comes in at 18 lbs per hp versus 20 lbs per hp for the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2009. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Misty Harbor 1460FS 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.