Matching a modified vee SeaArk BayFisher 2013 against a flat SeaArk Mud Runner 180 2013 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 BayFisher 2013 at 20,1 ft versus SeaArk Mud Runner 180 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the SeaArk BayFisher 2013 tips the scales at 119 lbs — 112 lbs more than the SeaArk Mud Runner 180 2013 at 7 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 140 hp, the SeaArk BayFisher 2013 has a 90-hp advantage over the SeaArk Mud Runner 180 2013'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 SeaArk BayFisher 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the SeaArk Mud Runner 180 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the SeaArk BayFisher 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the SeaArk BayFisher 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The SeaArk Mud Runner 180 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.