Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009
2009
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VS
Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008
2008
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Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 vs Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 against a flat Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 measures 17,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 at 13,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 tips the scales at 248 lbs — 211 lbs less than the Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 at 37 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 40 hp for the Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 and 25 hp for the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008. 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 Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008. 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 Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 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
MakePolar Kraft
MakePolar Kraft
Model1778 WB
ModelJon 1468 LW
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam78 in
Beam68 in
Beam - Meters1.98
Beam - Meters1.73
Beam - Inches78
Beam - Inches68
Depth - Detail29.25 in
Depth - Detail20 in
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Centimeters50.8
Depth - Inches29.25
Depth - Inches2
Weight - Detail370 lbs
Weight - Detail248 lbs
Weight - kg167.83
Weight - kg112.49
Weight - lbs.37
Weight - lbs.248
Width [transom] - Detail60 in
Width [transom] - Detail48 in
Height [transom]21 in
Height [transom]15 in
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet13
Length overall - Detail17 ft
Length overall - Detail13 ft. 11 in
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Meters4.24
Length overall - Inches204
Length overall - Inches167
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches11
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.080 in
Hull thickness.072 in
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max40 hp
Engine max25 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,120 lbs
Maximum capacity875 lbs
Maximum people5 / 700 lbs
Maximum people4 / 550 lbs

Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 vs Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 or the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008?
The Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 comes in at 13,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 or the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 has the edge at 37 lbs dry weight versus 248 lbs for the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008. 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 Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 tops out at 25 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 Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 is certified for 4. 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.
Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 10 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 measures 78" wide, compared to 68" for the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 and Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft 1778 WB 2009 and the Polar Kraft Jon 1468 LW 2008 are built by Polar Kraft. 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.