Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 vs Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 or the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013?

The Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,7 feet overall. The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 4,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 or the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013?

For trailering, the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 has the edge at 1 635 lbs dry weight versus 3 039 lbs for the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 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 Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 is certified for 15. 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 Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 and Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 or the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013?

The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 and Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 and the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 are built by Sweetwater. 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

Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 vs Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013

Sweetwater

Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006

2006

View full specs →

Sweetwater

Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 vs Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 vs Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 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 SW 240 WB 2013 measures 25,7 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 at 21,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 tips the scales at 3 039 lbs — 1 404 lbs less than the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 at 1 635 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 150 hp, the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 has a 60-hp advantage over the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 gal and 21 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 comes in at 18 lbs per hp versus 20 lbs per hp for the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013. 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.

The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.

Bottom line: Choose the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 25,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeSweetwater

Model2186 RE-4 Gate

ModelSW 240 WB

Model Year2006

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail1,635 lbs

Weight - Detail3,039 lbs. (1,380 kg) wet 2,220 lbs. (1,008 kg) dry

Weight - kg741.62

Weight - kg1378.47

Weight - lbs.1635

Weight - lbs.3039

Length - Feet21

Length - Feet25.67

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 8 in. (7.83 m)

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Meters7.82

Length overall - Inches252

Length overall - Inches308

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter23 in

Tube diameter25 in

Number of tubes2

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (80 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max90 hp

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,402 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people1

Maximum people15 (13)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typePontoon

Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 vs Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 or the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013?

The Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,7 feet overall. The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 4,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 or the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013?

For trailering, the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 has the edge at 1 635 lbs dry weight versus 3 039 lbs for the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 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 Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 is certified for 15. 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 Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 and Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 or the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013?

The Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 and Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 and the Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 are built by Sweetwater. 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.

← Sweetwater 2186 RE-4 Gate 2006 full specs ← Sweetwater SW 240 WB 2013 full specs