Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011
2011
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VS
Polar Kraft V 1260  2011 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V 1260 2011
2011
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Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 vs Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 against a deep vee Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 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 J 1468 LW 2011 at 13,9 ft versus Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 at 12,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 tips the scales at 248 lbs — 132 lbs more than the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 at 116 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 J 1468 LW 2011 and 10 hp for the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011. 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 J 1468 LW 2011 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 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 J 1468 LW 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011. 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 J 1468 LW 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 13,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 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
ModelJ 1468 LW
ModelV 126
Model Year2011
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam68 in. (172.72 cm)
Beam60 in. (152.4 cm)
Beam - Meters1.73
Beam - Meters1.52
Beam - Inches68
Beam - Inches6
Depth - Detail20 in. (50.8 cm)
Depth - Detail25 in. (63.50 cm)
Depth - Centimeters50.8
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inches2
Depth - Inches25
Weight - Detail248 lbs. (112 kg)
Weight - Detail116 lbs. (53 kg)
Weight - kg112.49
Weight - kg52.62
Weight - lbs.248
Weight - lbs.116
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 48 in. (121.92 cm)
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 47 in. (119.38 cm)
Height [transom]15 in. (38.10 cm)
Height [transom]15.5 in. (39.37 cm)
Length - Feet13.92
Length - Feet12.25
Length overall - Detail13 ft. 11 in. (4.24 m)
Length overall - Detail12 ft. 3 in. (3.73 m)
Length overall - Meters4.24
Length overall - Meters3.73
Length overall - Inches167
Length overall - Inches147
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.072 in. (0.183 cm)
Hull thickness0.050 in. (0.127 cm)
Hull typeFlat
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max25 hp (19 kW)
Engine max10 hp (7 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity875 lbs. (397 kg)
Maximum capacity605 lbs. (274 kg)
Maximum people4 / 550 lbs. (249 kg)
Maximum people3 / 400 lbs. (181 kg)

Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 vs Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 or the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011?
The Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 is the longer of the two at 13,9 feet overall. The Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 comes in at 12,3 feet, making it roughly 1,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 or the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 has the edge at 116 lbs dry weight versus 248 lbs for the Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 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 J 1468 LW 2011 is rated to a maximum of 25 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 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 J 1468 LW 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 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 J 1468 LW 2011 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 10 lbs per hp compared to 12 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011. 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 J 1468 LW 2011 measures 68" wide, compared to 6" for the Polar Kraft V 1260 2011. 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 J 1468 LW 2011 and Polar Kraft V 1260 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft J 1468 LW 2011 and the Polar Kraft V 1260 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.