Matching a flat SeaArk 1648FN 2009 against a modified vee SeaArk 1872SS 2010 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 — SeaArk 1648FN 2009 at 16,0 ft versus SeaArk 1872SS 2010 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the SeaArk 1648FN 2009 tips the scales at 355 lbs — 290 lbs more than the SeaArk 1872SS 2010 at 65 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 80 hp, the SeaArk 1872SS 2010 has a 55-hp advantage over the SeaArk 1648FN 2009's 25-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 SeaArk 1872SS 2010 is rated for 11 passengers, while the SeaArk 1648FN 2009 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the SeaArk 1872SS 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The SeaArk 1872SS 2010 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the SeaArk 1648FN 2009. 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 SeaArk 1872SS 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The SeaArk 1648FN 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.