Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013
2013
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VS
Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011
2011
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Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 vs Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 against a modified vee Polar Kraft V 186 T 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011 measures 18,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 at 12,2 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011 tips the scales at 1 124 lbs — 959 lbs less than the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 at 165 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 186 T 2011 has a 65-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013's 10-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 V 186 T 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 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 V 186 T 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 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
ModelJon J 1236 LW
ModelV 186 T
Model Year2013
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam57 in. (1.45 m)
Beam92 in. (2.34 m)
Beam - Meters1.45
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches57
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail165 lbs. (75 kg)
Weight - Detail1,124 lbs. (510 kg)
Weight - kg74.84
Weight - kg509.84
Weight - lbs.165
Weight - lbs.1124
Length - Feet12.17
Length - Feet18.5
Length overall - Detail12 ft. 2 in. (3.71 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.61 m)
Length overall - Meters3.71
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Inches146
Length overall - Inches222
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail27 in. (0.69 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches27
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 72 in. (1.83 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeFlat
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.1 in. (2.5 mm)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max10 hp (7 kW)
Engine max75 hp (55 kW) Minimum: 35 hp (26 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
Operational Info
Maximum people3
Maximum people7 / 990 lbs. (449 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)

Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 vs Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 or the Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011?
The Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,5 feet overall. The Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 comes in at 12,2 feet, making it roughly 6,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 or the Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 has the edge at 165 lbs dry weight versus 1 124 lbs for the Polar Kraft V 186 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 186 T 2011 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 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 Jon J 1236 LW 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011 is certified for 7. 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 V 186 T 2011 measures 92" wide, compared to 57" for the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013. 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 J 1236 LW 2013 and Polar Kraft V 186 T 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft Jon J 1236 LW 2013 and the Polar Kraft V 186 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.