Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 vs Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 or the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005?

For trailering, the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 has the edge at 605 lbs dry weight versus 655 lbs for the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 tops out at 40 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 is certified for 5. 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 and Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 share an 73 in. (185 cm) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 and Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 and the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 are built by Monark Marine. 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.

Boat Comparison

Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 vs Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005

Monark Marine

Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005

2005

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Monark Marine

Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 vs Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 vs Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 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 — 40 hp for the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 and 50 hp for the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005. 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 Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMonark Marine

ModelFS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering)

ModelFS 1601 SC (Side Console)

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam73 in. (185 cm)

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches73

Deadrise12℃

Depth - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Depth - Centimeters50.8

Depth - Inches2

Draft [drive up] - Detail10 in. (25 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.25

Draft [drive up] inches1

Draft [max] - Detail21 in. (53 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.53

Draft [max] - Inches21

Weight - Detail605 lbs. (274.4 kg)

Weight - Detail655 lbs. (290.3 kg)

Weight - kg274.42

Weight - kg297.1

Weight - lbs.605

Weight - lbs.655

Width [transom] - Detail70 in. (178 cm)

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in. (5.0 m)

Length overall - Meters4.98

Length overall - Inches196

Body / Hull

Hull thickness0.080 in. (.203 cm)

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Engine max40 hp (29.8 kw)

Engine max50 hp (37 kw)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,215 lbs. (551.1 kg)

Maximum capacity1,170 lbs. (530.7 kg)

Maximum people6

Maximum people5

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 8 in. (6.3 m)

Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 vs Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 or the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005?

For trailering, the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 has the edge at 605 lbs dry weight versus 655 lbs for the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 tops out at 40 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 Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 is certified for 5. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 and Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 share an 73 in. (185 cm) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 and Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 and the Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 are built by Monark Marine. 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.

← Monark Marine FS 1600 TL (Tiller Steering) 2005 full specs ← Monark Marine FS 1601 SC (Side Console) 2005 full specs