Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013
2013
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Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013
2013
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Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 vs Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 against a flat Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 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 1470 2013 at 14,0 ft versus Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 at 12,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 tips the scales at 165 lbs — 139 lbs less than the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 at 26 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 — 25 hp for the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 and 10 hp for the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013. 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 Dakota V 1470 2013 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 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 Dakota V 1470 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 17 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 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 Dakota V 1470 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 14,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 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 147
ModelJon J 1236 LW
Model Year2013
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam70 in. (1.78 m)
Beam57 in. (1.45 m)
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Meters1.45
Beam - Inches7
Beam - Inches57
Weight - Detail260 lbs. (118 kg)
Weight - Detail165 lbs. (75 kg)
Weight - kg117.93
Weight - kg74.84
Weight - lbs.26
Weight - lbs.165
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet12.17
Length overall - Detail14 ft. (4.27 m)
Length overall - Detail12 ft. 2 in. (3.71 m)
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Meters3.71
Length overall - Inches168
Length overall - Inches146
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max25 hp (19 kW)
Engine max10 hp (7 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum people4
Maximum people3

Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 vs Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 or the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013?
The Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 is the longer of the two at 14,0 feet overall. The Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 comes in at 12,2 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 or the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 has the edge at 26 lbs dry weight versus 165 lbs for the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013. 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 Dakota V 1470 2013 is rated to a maximum of 25 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 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 1470 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 is certified for 3. 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 Dakota V 1470 2013 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 17 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 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 Jon J 1236 LW 2013 measures 57" wide, compared to 7" for the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 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 1470 2013 and Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft Dakota V 1470 2013 and the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 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.