Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC  2012 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012
2012
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VS
Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008
2008
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Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 vs Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 against a flat Polar Kraft Jon 1043 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 measures 18,9 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 17,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 at 1,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 tips the scales at 1 375 lbs — 1 374 lbs more than the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 at 1 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 150 hp, the Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 has a 147-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008's 3-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 Frontier V 189 SC 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePolar Kraft
MakePolar Kraft
ModelFrontier V 189 SC
ModelJon 1043
Model Year2012
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam99 in. (2.51 m)
Beam43 in
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Meters1.09
Beam - Inches99
Beam - Inches43
Weight - Detail1,375 lbs. (624 kg)
Weight - Detail100 lbs
Weight - kg623.69
Weight - kg45.36
Weight - lbs.1375
Weight - lbs.1
Length - Feet18.92
Length - Feet1
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 11 in. (5.77 m)
Length overall - Detail10 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Meters5.77
Length overall - Meters3.07
Length overall - Inches227
Length overall - Inches121
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail15 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters38.1
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches15
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail30 in
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]15 in
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeFlat
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness.050 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine max3 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people7
Maximum people2 / 285 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity325 lbs

Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 vs Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 or the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008?
The Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 is the longer of the two at 18,9 feet overall. The Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 comes in at 1,0 feet, making it roughly 17,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 or the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 has the edge at 1 lbs dry weight versus 1 375 lbs for the Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012. 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 Frontier V 189 SC 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 tops out at 3 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 189 SC 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 is certified for 2. 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 Frontier V 189 SC 2012 measures 99" wide, compared to 43" for the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008. 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 Frontier V 189 SC 2012 and Polar Kraft Jon 1043 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft Frontier V 189 SC 2012 and the Polar Kraft Jon 1043 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.