The Misty Harbor 1460FS 2012 vs Misty Harbor 1680EC 2006 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 2012 at 14,0 ft versus Misty Harbor 1680EC 2006 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Misty Harbor 1460FS 2012 tips the scales at 775 lbs — 696 lbs more than the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2006 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 40 hp, the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2006 has a 37-hp advantage over the Misty Harbor 1460FS 2012's 3-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 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Misty Harbor 1460FS 2012 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Misty Harbor 1680EC 2006 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 258 lbs per hp for the Misty Harbor 1460FS 2012. 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 2006 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 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.