Polar Kraft V 188 FS  2007 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007
2007
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VS
Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460  2008 boat specs
Polar Kraft
Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008
2008
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Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 vs Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 vs Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 measures 18,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 at 14,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 tips the scales at 1 692 lbs — 1 548 lbs more than the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 at 144 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 2007 has a 185-hp advantage over the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008's 15-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 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 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 2007 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008. 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 188 FS 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 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
ModelV 188 FS
ModelV-Hull 146
Model Year2007
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam101 in
Beam60 in
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Meters1.52
Beam - Inches101
Beam - Inches6
Depth - Detail32 in
Depth - Detail25 in
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inches32
Depth - Inches25
Weight - Detail1,692 lbs
Weight - Detail144 lbs
Weight - kg767.48
Weight - kg65.32
Weight - lbs.1692
Weight - lbs.144
Width [transom] - Detail85 in
Width [transom] - Detail47 in
Height [transom]25 in
Height [transom]15.5 in
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet14
Length - Inches8
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters5.69
Length overall - Meters4.37
Length overall - Inches224
Length overall - Inches172
Body / Hull
Hull thickness.100 in
Hull thickness.050 in
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (158.97 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal42
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max200 hp Minimum: 115 hp
Engine max15 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,850 lbs
Maximum capacity705 lbs
Maximum people8
Maximum people4 / 500 lbs

Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 vs Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 or the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008?
The Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 comes in at 14,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 or the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008?
For trailering, the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 has the edge at 144 lbs dry weight versus 1 692 lbs for the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 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 188 FS 2007 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 tops out at 15 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 V 188 FS 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 is certified for 4. 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 188 FS 2007 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 9 lbs per hp compared to 10 lbs per hp for the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008. 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 188 FS 2007 measures 101" wide, compared to 6" for the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008. 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 V 188 FS 2007 and Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Polar Kraft V 188 FS 2007 and the Polar Kraft V-Hull 1460 2008 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.