Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 vs Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 or the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003?

For trailering, the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 has the edge at 562 lbs dry weight versus 772 lbs for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 tops out at 6 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 is certified for 5. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 measures 96" wide, compared to 8" for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 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.

Q: Are the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 and Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 and the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 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.

Boat Comparison

Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 vs Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003

Polar Kraft

Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011

2011

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Polar Kraft

Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003

2003

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 vs Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 vs Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 60 hp, the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 has a 54-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003's 6-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 SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 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 SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 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

ModelMV 1680 SE

ModelSPORTSMAN MV 1896

Model Year2011

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam80 in. (2.03 m)

Beam96 in

Beam - Meters2.03

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches8

Beam - Inches96

Depth - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters58.42

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches23

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail772 lbs. (350 kg)

Weight - Detail562 lbs

Weight - kg350.17

Weight - kg254.92

Weight - lbs.772

Weight - lbs.562

Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 54 in. (1.37 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]21 in. (0.53 m)

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Feet16.17

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.92 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft

Length overall - Meters4.93

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches194

Length overall - Inches216

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail23 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.58

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches23

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thickness0.1 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max60 hp (44 kW)

Engine max6

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Maximum capacity1115 lbs

Maximum people4 / 600 lbs. (272 kg)

Maximum people5

Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 vs Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 or the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003?

For trailering, the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 has the edge at 562 lbs dry weight versus 772 lbs for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 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 MV 1680 SE 2011 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 tops out at 6 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 SE 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 is certified for 5. 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 SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 measures 96" wide, compared to 8" for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 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 SE 2011 and Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 and the Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 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.

← Polar Kraft MV 1680 SE 2011 full specs ← Polar Kraft SPORTSMAN MV 1896 2003 full specs