When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ProGator 186 F/S 2009 and the ProGator 200V 2009 are deep vee designs with composite 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 — ProGator 186 F/S 2009 at 18,5 ft versus ProGator 200V 2009 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the ProGator 186 F/S 2009 tips the scales at 135 lbs — 121 lbs more than the ProGator 200V 2009 at 14 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 225 hp, the ProGator 200V 2009 has a 50-hp advantage over the ProGator 186 F/S 2009's 175-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the ProGator 200V 2009 and its 225-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the ProGator 186 F/S 2009 with its 175-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.