Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012
2012
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VS
Polar Kraft V 178 SC  2007 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007
2007
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Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 vs Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 vs Polar Kraft V 178 SC 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 at 17,9 ft versus Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 tips the scales at 1 178 lbs — 1 061 lbs less than the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 at 117 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 — 135 hp for the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 and 150 hp for the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 carries 27 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 6 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 Frontier V 179 DC 2012 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007. 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: The Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 and Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakePolar Kraft
MakePolar Kraft
ModelFrontier V 179 DC
ModelV 178 SC
Model Year2012
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam99 in. (2.51 m)
Beam92 in
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches99
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail1,170 lbs. (531 kg)
Weight - Detail1,178 lbs
Weight - kg530.7
Weight - kg534.33
Weight - lbs.117
Weight - lbs.1178
Length - Feet17.92
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 11 in. (5.46 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in
Length overall - Meters5.46
Length overall - Meters5.38
Length overall - Inches215
Length overall - Inches212
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail28.5 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches28.5
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail75 in
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches8
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness.100 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max135 hp (101 kW)
Engine max150 hp Minimum: 70 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people6
Maximum people6
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,700 lbs

Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 vs Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 or the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007?
The Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 is the longer of the two at 17,9 feet overall. The Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 0,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 or the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 has the edge at 117 lbs dry weight versus 1 178 lbs for the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 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 178 SC 2007 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 tops out at 135 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 Frontier V 179 DC 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 is certified for 6. 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 Frontier V 179 DC 2012 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 8 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007. 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 Frontier V 179 DC 2012 measures 99" wide, compared to 92" for the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007. 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 or the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007?
The Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 and Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft Frontier V 179 DC 2012 and the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 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.