Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC   2006 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006
2006
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VS
Polar Kraft V 178 SC  2007 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007
2007
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Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 vs Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 vs Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 at 16,0 ft versus Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 tips the scales at 1 178 lbs — 124 lbs less than the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 at 1 054 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 — 130 hp for the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 and 150 hp for the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 27 gal and 27 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006. 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 V 178 SC 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePolar Kraft
MakePolar Kraft
ModelKodiak V168 DC
ModelV 178 SC
Model Year2006
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam87 in
Beam92 in
Beam - Meters2.21
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches87
Beam - Inches92
Depth - Detail22 in
Depth - Detail28.5 in
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inches22
Depth - Inches28.5
Weight - Detail1,054 lbs
Weight - Detail1,178 lbs
Weight - kg478.09
Weight - kg534.33
Weight - lbs.1054
Weight - lbs.1178
Width [transom] - Detail72 in
Width [transom] - Detail75 in
Height [transom]21 in
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches8
Length - Inches8
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 8 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in
Length overall - Meters5.08
Length overall - Meters5.38
Length overall - Inches2
Length overall - Inches212
Body / Hull
Hull thickness.090 in
Hull thickness.100 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max130 hp Minimum: 60 hp
Engine max150 hp Minimum: 70 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,435 lbs
Maximum capacity1,700 lbs
Maximum people5
Maximum people6

Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 vs Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 or the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007?
The Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 or the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 has the edge at 1 054 lbs dry weight versus 1 178 lbs for the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007. 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 178 SC 2007 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 tops out at 130 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 Kodiak V168 DC 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 is certified for 6. 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 V 178 SC 2007 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 8 lbs per hp compared to 8 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006. 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 V 178 SC 2007 measures 92" wide, compared to 87" for the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006. 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 and Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 27 gallons and 27 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 and Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft Kodiak V168 DC 2006 and the Polar Kraft V 178 SC 2007 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.