Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007
2007
View full specs →
VS
Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006
2006
View full specs →

Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 vs Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 vs Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 measures 18,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 at 12,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 tips the scales at 1 124 lbs — 959 lbs less than the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 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 Outlander V 186 T 2006 has a 65-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007'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 Outlander V 186 T 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 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 Outlander V 186 T 2006 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 comes in at 15 lbs per hp versus 17 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 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: Choose the Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 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 1257 LW
ModelOutlander V 186 T
Model Year2007
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam57 in
Beam92 in
Beam - Meters1.45
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches57
Beam - Inches92
Depth - Detail18 in
Depth - Detail27 in
Depth - Centimeters45.72
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inches18
Depth - Inches27
Weight - Detail165 lbs
Weight - Detail1,124 lbs
Weight - kg74.84
Weight - kg509.84
Weight - lbs.165
Weight - lbs.1124
Width [transom] - Detail36 in
Width [transom] - Detail72 in
Height [transom]15 in
Height [transom]20 in
Length - Feet12
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches2
Length - Inches6
Length overall - Detail12 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Meters3.71
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Inches146
Length overall - Inches222
Body / Hull
Hull thickness.064 in
Hull thickness.100 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max10 hp
Engine max75 hp Minimum: 35 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Operational Info
Maximum capacity530 lbs
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs
Maximum people3
Maximum people7

Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 vs Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 or the Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006?
The Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 comes in at 12,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 or the Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 has the edge at 165 lbs dry weight versus 1 124 lbs for the Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006. 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 Outlander V 186 T 2006 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 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 1257 LW 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 15 lbs per hp compared to 17 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 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 Outlander V 186 T 2006 measures 92" wide, compared to 57" for the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 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.
Are the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 and Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft Jon J 1257 LW 2007 and the Polar Kraft Outlander V 186 T 2006 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.