Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013
2013
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Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008
2008
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Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 vs Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 against a modified vee Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 at 12,3 ft versus Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 at 13,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 tips the scales at 248 lbs — 132 lbs less than the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 at 116 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 — 10 hp for the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 and 25 hp for the Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 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 Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013. 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 Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 13,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePolar Kraft
MakePolar Kraft
ModelDakota V 126
ModelModified V-Hull 1468 LW
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam60 in. (1.52 m)
Beam68 in
Beam - Meters1.52
Beam - Meters1.73
Beam - Inches6
Beam - Inches68
Weight - Detail116 lbs. (53 kg)
Weight - Detail248 lbs
Weight - kg52.62
Weight - kg112.49
Weight - lbs.116
Weight - lbs.248
Length - Feet12.25
Length - Feet13
Length overall - Detail12 ft. 3 in. (3.74 m)
Length overall - Detail13 ft. 11 in
Length overall - Meters3.73
Length overall - Meters4.24
Length overall - Inches147
Length overall - Inches167
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail20 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters50.8
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches2
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail48 in
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]15 in
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches11
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness.072 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max10 hp (7 kW)
Engine max25 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people3
Maximum people4 / 550 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity875 lbs

Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 vs Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 or the Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008?
The Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 is the longer of the two at 13,0 feet overall. The Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 comes in at 12,3 feet, making it roughly 0,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 or the Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 has the edge at 116 lbs dry weight versus 248 lbs for the Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 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 Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 is rated to a maximum of 25 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 tops out at 10 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 Dakota V 1260 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 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 Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 10 lbs per hp compared to 12 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013. 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 Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 measures 68" wide, compared to 6" for the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013. 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 Dakota V 1260 2013 and Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 1468 LW 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1260 2013 and the Polar Kraft Modified V-Hull 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.