Polar Kraft MV 1680  2010 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010
2010
View full specs →
VS
Polar Kraft V 1578 WB  2011 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011
2011
View full specs →

Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 vs Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 against a deep vee Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 at 16,2 ft versus Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 at 15,0 ft. At 62 lbs and 35 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 40 hp for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 and 30 hp for the Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011. 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 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 1578 WB 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010. 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 1578 WB 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 15,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 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 168
ModelV 1578 WB
Model Year201
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam80 in. (2.03 m)
Beam78 in. (1.98 m)
Beam - Meters2.03
Beam - Meters1.98
Beam - Inches8
Beam - Inches78
Depth - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)
Depth - Detail29.25 in. (0.74 m)
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inches29.25
Weight - Detail620 lbs. (281 kg)
Weight - Detail350 lbs. (159 kg)
Weight - kg281.23
Weight - kg158.76
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.35
Width [transom] - Detail54 in. (1.37 m)
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 60 in. (1.52 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Height [transom]21 in. (0.53 m)
Length - Feet16.17
Length - Feet15
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.92 m)
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 0 in. (4.57 m)
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters4.57
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches18
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.08 in. (2 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Engine max30 hp (22 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum capacity1,080 lbs. (490 kg)
Maximum people4 / 680 lbs. (309 kg)
Maximum people5 / 660 lbs. (299 kg)

Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 vs Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 or the Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011?
The Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 is the longer of the two at 16,2 feet overall. The Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 1,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 or the Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 62 lbs for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 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 MV 1680 2010 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 tops out at 30 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 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 2 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010. 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 1578 WB 2011 measures 78" wide, compared to 8" for the Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010. 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 2010 and Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft MV 1680 2010 and the Polar Kraft V 1578 WB 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.