Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 vs Tahoe Boats 228 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 or the Tahoe Boats 228 2011?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 has the edge at 205 lbs dry weight versus 395 lbs for the Tahoe Boats 228 2011. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Tahoe Boats 228 2011 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats 228 2011 is certified for 12. 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 Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 and Tahoe Boats 228 2011 share an 102 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 Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 or the Tahoe Boats 228 2011?

The Tahoe Boats 228 2011 has the bigger tank at 48 gallons, versus 45 gallons on the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004. 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 Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 and Tahoe Boats 228 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 and the Tahoe Boats 228 2011 are built by Tahoe Boats. 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

Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 vs Tahoe Boats 228 2011

Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004

2004

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Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats 228 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 vs Tahoe Boats 228 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 vs Tahoe Boats 228 2011 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.

The Tahoe Boats 228 2011 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 45 gal and 48 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Tahoe Boats 228 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tahoe Boats 228 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tahoe Boats 228 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeTahoe Boats

Model202 I/O

Model228

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail2050 lbs

Weight - Detail3,950 lbs

Weight - kg929.86

Weight - kg1791.69

Weight - lbs.205

Weight - lbs.395

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail22.42 ft

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Meters6.83

Length overall - Inches24

Length overall - Inches269.04

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise20℃

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail19 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.48

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches19

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet22.42

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail45 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters170.34

Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal45

Fuel tank capacity - Gal48

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury®

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelMerCruiser® 4.3 l V-6

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower190 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1550 lbs

Maximum capacity1,850 lbs

Maximum people11 Persons

Maximum people12

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 vs Tahoe Boats 228 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 or the Tahoe Boats 228 2011?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 has the edge at 205 lbs dry weight versus 395 lbs for the Tahoe Boats 228 2011. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Tahoe Boats 228 2011 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats 228 2011 is certified for 12. 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 Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 and Tahoe Boats 228 2011 share an 102 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 Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 or the Tahoe Boats 228 2011?

The Tahoe Boats 228 2011 has the bigger tank at 48 gallons, versus 45 gallons on the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004. 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 Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 and Tahoe Boats 228 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 and the Tahoe Boats 228 2011 are built by Tahoe Boats. 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.

← Tahoe Boats 202 I/O 2004 full specs ← Tahoe Boats 228 2011 full specs