Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011
2011
View full specs →
VS
Polar Kraft V 188 SC  2010 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010
2010
View full specs →

Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 vs Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 and the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 at 16,2 ft versus Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 at 18,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 tips the scales at 1 534 lbs — 830 lbs less than the Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 at 704 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 150 hp, the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 has a 100-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011's 50-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 188 SC 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 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 MV 1680 DB 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePolar Kraft
MakePolar Kraft
ModelMV 1680 DB
ModelV 188 SC
Model Year2011
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam80 in. (2.03 m)
Beam101 in. (2.57 m)
Beam - Meters2.03
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Inches8
Beam - Inches101
Depth - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)
Depth - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inches32
Weight - Detail704 lbs. (319 kg)
Weight - Detail1,534 lbs. (696 kg)
Weight - kg319.33
Weight - kg695.81
Weight - lbs.704
Weight - lbs.1534
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 54 in. (1.37 m)
Width [transom] - Detail85 in. (2.16 m)
Height [transom]21 in. (0.53 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Length - Feet16.17
Length - Feet18.67
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.92 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.65 m)
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters5.69
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches224
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.1 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 kW) Minimum: 90 hp (67 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 capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum capacity1,850 lbs. (840 kg)
Maximum people4 / 600 lbs. (272 kg)
Maximum people8 / 1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 vs Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 or the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010?
The Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 is the longer of the two at 18,7 feet overall. The Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 comes in at 16,2 feet, making it roughly 2,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 or the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 has the edge at 704 lbs dry weight versus 1 534 lbs for the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010. 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 188 SC 2010 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 tops out at 50 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 MV 1680 DB 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 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 V 188 SC 2010 measures 101" wide, compared to 8" for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 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 MV 1680 DB 2011 and Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft MV 1680 DB 2011 and the Polar Kraft V 188 SC 2010 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.