Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008
2008
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VS
Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012
2012
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Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 vs Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 against a modified vee Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 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 Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 measures 18,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 at 12,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 tips the scales at 1 619 lbs — 1 507 lbs less than the Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 at 112 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 200 hp, the Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 has a 195-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008'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 Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Jon 1243 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 Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft Jon 1243 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
ModelJon 1243
ModelKodiak V 190 WT
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam43 in
Beam101 in. (2.57 m)
Beam - Meters1.09
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Inches43
Beam - Inches101
Depth - Detail15 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters38.1
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches15
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail112 lbs
Weight - Detail1,619 lbs. (735 kg)
Weight - kg50.8
Weight - kg734.37
Weight - lbs.112
Weight - lbs.1619
Width [transom] - Detail30 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]15 in
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet12
Length - Feet18.67
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail12 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.65 m)
Length overall - Meters3.68
Length overall - Meters5.69
Length overall - Inches145
Length overall - Inches224
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness.050 in
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeFlat
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max5 hp
Engine max200 hp (149 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (159 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal42
Operational Info
Maximum capacity430 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people2 / 315 lbs
Maximum people8

Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 vs Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 or the Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012?
The Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 is the longer of the two at 18,7 feet overall. The Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 comes in at 12,0 feet, making it roughly 6,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 or the Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 has the edge at 112 lbs dry weight versus 1 619 lbs for the Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 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 Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 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 Jon 1243 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 2 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 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 Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 measures 101" wide, compared to 43" for the Polar Kraft Jon 1243 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 Jon 1243 2008 and Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft Jon 1243 2008 and the Polar Kraft Kodiak V 190 WT 2012 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.