Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 or the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 2 494 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003. 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 Q8i SSi 2012 has a documented max rating of 320 hp. Engine specifications for the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 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 Q5 L 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 is certified for 1. 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 SSi 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003. 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 Q5 L 2003 or the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012?

The Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 has the bigger tank at 49 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 and Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 and the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 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 Q5 L 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012

Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003

2003

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Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 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 Q8i SSi 2012 tops out at 320 hp. Engine specs for the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 carries 49 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003. 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 Q5 L 2003 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 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

MakeTahoe Boats

ModelQ5 L

ModelQ8i SSi

Model Year2003

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16 degrees

Deadrise20℃

Draft [max] - Detail12 in

Draft [max] - Detail24 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Inches12

Draft [max] - Inches24

Weight - Detail2494 lbs

Weight - Detail3,500 lbs

Weight - kg1131.26

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - lbs.2494

Weight - lbs.35

Height - Detail34 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.86

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches34

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Meters6.6

Length overall - Inches224

Length overall - Inches26

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail32 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters81.28

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches32

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet21.67

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail49 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Liters185.49

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal49

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 max320 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people9 Persons

Maximum people1

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 or the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 2 494 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003. 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 Q8i SSi 2012 has a documented max rating of 320 hp. Engine specifications for the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 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 Q5 L 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 is certified for 1. 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 SSi 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003. 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 Q5 L 2003 or the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012?

The Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 has the bigger tank at 49 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 and Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q5 L 2003 and the Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 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 Q5 L 2003 full specs ← Tahoe Boats Q8i SSi 2012 full specs