Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 vs Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 or the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007?

For trailering, the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 has the edge at 784 lbs dry weight versus 1 692 lbs for the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007. 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 Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 tops out at 5 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 Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 is certified for 8. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 measures 101" wide, compared to 8" for the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003. 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.

Q: Are the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 and Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 and the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 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.

Boat Comparison

Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 vs Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007

Polar Kraft

Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003

2003

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Polar Kraft

Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 vs Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 vs Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 has a 195-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003's 5-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 Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePolar Kraft

ModelFISHERMAN V164 T

ModelV 188 FS

Model Year2003

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam80 in

Beam101 in

Beam - Meters2.03

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Inches8

Beam - Inches101

Weight - Detail784 lbs

Weight - Detail1,692 lbs

Weight - kg355.62

Weight - kg767.48

Weight - lbs.784

Weight - lbs.1692

Height - Detail21 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.53

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches21

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]25 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters4.98

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Inches196

Length overall - Inches224

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail32 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters81.28

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches32

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail85 in

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard25

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine max5

Engine max200 hp Minimum: 115 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (158.97 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal42

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1200 lbs

Maximum capacity1,850 lbs

Maximum people6

Maximum people8

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness.100 in

Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 vs Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 or the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007?

For trailering, the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 has the edge at 784 lbs dry weight versus 1 692 lbs for the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007. 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 V 188 FS 2007 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 tops out at 5 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 FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 is certified for 8. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 measures 101" wide, compared to 8" for the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003. 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 FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 and Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 and the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 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.

← Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2003 full specs ← Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 full specs