Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005
2005
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VS
Polar Kraft V 163 T  2011 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011
2011
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Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 vs Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 vs Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 at 16,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 tips the scales at 1 075 lbs — 319 lbs less than the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 at 756 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 comes in at 14 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005. 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 and its 75-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 with its 50-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakePolar Kraft
MakePolar Kraft
ModelFISHERMAN V164 T
ModelV 163 T
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam80 in
Beam93 in. (2.36 m)
Beam - Meters2.03
Beam - Meters2.36
Beam - Inches8
Beam - Inches93
Depth - Detail21 in
Depth - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inches23
Weight - Detail756 lbs
Weight - Detail1,075 lbs. (488 kg)
Weight - kg342.92
Weight - kg487.61
Weight - lbs.756
Weight - lbs.1075
Width [transom] - Detail61 in
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 72 in. (1.83 m)
Height [transom]21 in
Height [transom]21 in. (0.53 m)
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet16.5
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 6 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Meters4.98
Length overall - Meters5.03
Length overall - Inches196
Length overall - Inches198
Body / Hull
Hull thickness.072 in
Hull thickness0.09 in. (2.3 mm)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard25 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp
Engine max75 hp (55 kW) Minimum: 40 hp (30 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,205 lbs
Maximum capacity1,140 lbs. (517 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people5 / 850 lbs. (386 kg)

Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 vs Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 or the Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011?
The Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 is the longer of the two at 16,5 feet overall. The Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 0,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 or the Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 has the edge at 756 lbs dry weight versus 1 075 lbs for the Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011. 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 163 T 2011 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 tops out at 50 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 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.
Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 14 lbs per hp compared to 15 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005. 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 V 163 T 2011 measures 93" wide, compared to 8" for the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005. 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 2005 and Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft FISHERMAN V164 T 2005 and the Polar Kraft V 163 T 2011 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.