Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 vs Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 or the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 152 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004. 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 Q8i 2009 is rated to a maximum of 320 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 Q8i 2009 is certified for 10. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 or the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009?

The Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004. That 31-gallon difference translates to roughly 93–155 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 Q8i 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 and the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 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 Q8i 2009

Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004

2004

View full specs →

Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 vs Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 vs Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 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 320 hp, the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 has a 305-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 Q8i 2009 carries 54 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004. 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 Q8i 2009 is rated for 10 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 Q8i 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 21,0 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

ModelQ8i

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail1520 lbs

Weight - Detail3,500 lbs

Weight - kg689.46

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - lbs.152

Weight - lbs.35

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters5.44

Length overall - Meters6.6

Length overall - Inches214

Length overall - Inches26

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise20℃

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail32 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters81.28

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches32

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Engine max15

Engine max320 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser®

Engine modelnot available

Engine model5.0 l 220 hp V-8

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower220 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people6 Persons

Maximum people10 (1,550 lbs.)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailCustom factory matched tandem axle

Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 vs Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 or the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 152 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004. 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 Q8i 2009 is rated to a maximum of 320 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 Q8i 2009 is certified for 10. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 or the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009?

The Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004. That 31-gallon difference translates to roughly 93–155 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 Q8i 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q3 SF OB 2004 and the Tahoe Boats Q8i 2009 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 Q8i 2009 full specs