Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006
2006
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VS
Polar Kraft V 188 FS  2010 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010
2010
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Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 vs Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 vs Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010 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 Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 at 16,0 ft versus Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010 at 18,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010 tips the scales at 1 692 lbs — 988 lbs less than the Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 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 200 hp, the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010 has a 150-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006'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 FS 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 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 FS 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 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 Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 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
ModelSportsman MV 1680 DB
ModelV 188 FS
Model Year2006
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam80 in
Beam101 in. (2.57 m)
Beam - Meters2.03
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Inches8
Beam - Inches101
Depth - Detail23 in
Depth - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inches32
Weight - Detail704 lbs
Weight - Detail1,692 lbs. (768 kg)
Weight - kg319.33
Weight - kg767.48
Weight - lbs.704
Weight - lbs.1692
Width [transom] - Detail54 in
Width [transom] - Detail85 in. (2.16 m)
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet18.67
Length - Inches2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in
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 thickness.100 in
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp
Engine max200 hp (149 kW) Minimum: 115 hp (86 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
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people4
Maximum people8 / 1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 vs Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 or the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010?
The Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010 is the longer of the two at 18,7 feet overall. The Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 2,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 or the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 has the edge at 704 lbs dry weight versus 1 692 lbs for the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 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 FS 2010 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 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 Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 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 FS 2010 measures 101" wide, compared to 8" for the Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 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.
Are the Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 and Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft Sportsman MV 1680 DB 2006 and the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 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.