Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 or the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 has the edge at 152 lbs dry weight versus 2 722 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 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 Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 is rated to a maximum of 220 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 tops out at 15 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 Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 is certified for 8. 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 Q3 SF OB 2004 and Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 share an 90.5 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 Q3 SF OB 2004 or the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013?

The Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 has the bigger tank at 23 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 and Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 and the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 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 Q3 SF OB 2004 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013

Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004

2004

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Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 220 hp, the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 has a 205-hp advantage over the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 carries 23 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 19,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 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

MakeTahoe Boats

ModelQ3 SF OB

ModelQ5i SF

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in

Beam91 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches91

Weight - Detail1520 lbs

Weight - Detail2,722 lbs. with engine Hull: 1,760 lbs

Weight - kg689.46

Weight - kg1234.68

Weight - lbs.152

Weight - lbs.2722

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Meters5.44

Length overall - Meters5.92

Length overall - Inches214

Length overall - Inches233

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise16°

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail29 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters73.66

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches29

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail19 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.48

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches19

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail73 in

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet19.42

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Engine max15

Engine max220 hp

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

Operational Info

Maximum people6 Persons

Maximum people8 / 1,300 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,300 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailCustom factory-matched, single-axle drive-on

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - HeightPackage: 6 ft. 4 in

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 4 in

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - WeightPackage: 3,258 lbs

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - WidthPackage: 8 ft. 4 in

Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 or the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 has the edge at 152 lbs dry weight versus 2 722 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 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 Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 is rated to a maximum of 220 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 tops out at 15 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 Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 is certified for 8. 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 Q3 SF OB 2004 and Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 share an 90.5 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 Q3 SF OB 2004 or the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013?

The Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 has the bigger tank at 23 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 and Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 and the Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 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 Q3 SF OB 2004 full specs ← Tahoe Boats Q5i SF 2013 full specs