South Bay 518CR B 2013 vs South Bay 820CR 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the South Bay 518CR B 2013 or the South Bay 820CR 2008?

The South Bay 820CR 2008 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The South Bay 518CR B 2013 comes in at 20,6 feet, making it roughly 0,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The South Bay 518CR B 2013 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The South Bay 820CR 2008 tops out at 90 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The South Bay 518CR B 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the South Bay 820CR 2008 is certified for 10. 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the South Bay 518CR B 2013 and South Bay 820CR 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the South Bay 518CR B 2013 and South Bay 820CR 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the South Bay 518CR B 2013 and the South Bay 820CR 2008 are built by South Bay. 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.

Boat Comparison

South Bay 518CR B 2013 vs South Bay 820CR 2008

South Bay

South Bay 518CR B 2013

2013

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South Bay

South Bay 820CR 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

South Bay 518CR B 2013 vs South Bay 820CR 2008 — A Close Look at Two Pontoons

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the South Bay 518CR B 2013 and the South Bay 820CR 2008 are pontoon designs with aluminum 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?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the South Bay 518CR B 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the South Bay 820CR 2008's 90-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 South Bay 820CR 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the South Bay 518CR B 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the South Bay 820CR 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the South Bay 820CR 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The South Bay 518CR B 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeSouth Bay

Model518CR B

Model820CR

Model Year2013

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Length [deck]19 ft. 11 in

Length [deck]19 ft. 8 in

Length - Feet20.58

Length - Feet21

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters6.27

Length overall - Meters6.45

Length overall - Inches247

Length overall - Inches254

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail2,175 lbs

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg986.56

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.2175

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches2

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typePontoon

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in. Tube Length: 19 ft. 4 in

Tube diameter25 in

Number of tubesnot available

Number of tubes2

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max115 hp

Engine max90 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Operational Info

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,955 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people10 / 1,450 lbs

South Bay 518CR B 2013 vs South Bay 820CR 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the South Bay 518CR B 2013 or the South Bay 820CR 2008?

The South Bay 820CR 2008 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The South Bay 518CR B 2013 comes in at 20,6 feet, making it roughly 0,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The South Bay 518CR B 2013 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The South Bay 820CR 2008 tops out at 90 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 South Bay 518CR B 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the South Bay 820CR 2008 is certified for 10. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the South Bay 518CR B 2013 and South Bay 820CR 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the South Bay 518CR B 2013 and South Bay 820CR 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the South Bay 518CR B 2013 and the South Bay 820CR 2008 are built by South Bay. 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.

← South Bay 518CR B 2013 full specs ← South Bay 820CR 2008 full specs