South Bay 518CR B 2013 boat specs
South Bay
South Bay 518CR B 2013
2013
View full specs →
VS
South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009 boat specs
South Bay
South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009
2009
View full specs →

South Bay 518CR B 2013 vs South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009 — Which Pontoon Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the South Bay 518CR B 2013 and the South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009 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 300 hp, the South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009 has a 185-hp advantage over the South Bay 518CR B 2013's 115-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 925CR TT EXP 2009 is rated for 16 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 925CR TT EXP 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 27,0 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
MakeSouth Bay
Model518CR B
Model925CR TT EXP
Model Year2013
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Length [deck]19 ft. 11 in
Length [deck]24 ft. 7 in
Length - Feet20.58
Length - Feet27
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters6.27
Length overall - Meters8.23
Length overall - Inches247
Length overall - Inches324
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail3,280 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1487.78
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.328
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typePontoon
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. Tube Length: 19 ft. 4 in
Tube diameter25 in
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes3
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max115 hp
Engine max300 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal54
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity8 gal. fresh water tank with 12V pump
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity3,045 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people16 / 2,285 lbs

South Bay 518CR B 2013 vs South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the South Bay 518CR B 2013 or the South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009?
The South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The South Bay 518CR B 2013 comes in at 20,6 feet, making it roughly 6,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The South Bay 518CR B 2013 tops out at 115 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 925CR TT EXP 2009 is certified for 16. 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 925CR TT EXP 2009 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 925CR TT EXP 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the South Bay 518CR B 2013 and the South Bay 925CR TT EXP 2009 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.