The Sweetwater 1817 RE-3 Gate 2005 vs Sweetwater 2019 RE 4 Gate 2000 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sweetwater 1817 RE-3 Gate 2005 measures 18,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sweetwater 2019 RE 4 Gate 2000 at 2,0 feet (2000). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sweetwater 1817 RE-3 Gate 2005 tips the scales at 1 626 lbs — 1 484 lbs more than the Sweetwater 2019 RE 4 Gate 2000 at 142 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 Sweetwater 1817 RE-3 Gate 2005 carries a rated maximum of 75 hp. Engine data for the Sweetwater 2019 RE 4 Gate 2000 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sweetwater 2019 RE 4 Gate 2000 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Sweetwater 1817 RE-3 Gate 2005 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sweetwater 2019 RE 4 Gate 2000 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sweetwater 2019 RE 4 Gate 2000 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sweetwater 1817 RE-3 Gate 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.