Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 or the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 has the edge at 2 494 lbs dry weight versus 2 722 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008. 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 Q5i Sport 2008 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 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 S 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 measures 96" wide, compared to 91" for the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008. 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 S 2003 or the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008?

The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 and Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 and the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 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 S 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008

Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003

2003

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Tahoe Boats

Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 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 Q5i Sport 2008 tops out at 220 hp. Engine specs for the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 carries 28 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008. 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 S 2003 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 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 Q5i Sport 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeTahoe Boats

ModelQ5 S

ModelQ5i Sport

Model Year2003

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in

Beam91 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches91

Deadrise16 degrees

Deadrise16℃

Draft [max] - Detail12 in

Draft [max] - Detail17 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Meters0.43

Draft [max] - Inches12

Draft [max] - Inches17

Weight - Detail2494 lbs

Weight - Detail2,722 lbs. with engine

Weight - kg1131.26

Weight - kg1234.68

Weight - lbs.2494

Weight - lbs.2722

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 - Detail19 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Meters5.92

Length overall - Inches224

Length overall - Inches233

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail29 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters73.66

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches29

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet19

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMerCruiser? 4.3L 190 hp V-6

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max220 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people9 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 - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 0 in. with swing-away

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,719 lbs

Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 vs Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 or the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008?

For trailering, the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 has the edge at 2 494 lbs dry weight versus 2 722 lbs for the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008. 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 Q5i Sport 2008 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 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 S 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 measures 96" wide, compared to 91" for the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008. 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 S 2003 or the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008?

The Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 has the bigger tank at 28 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 and Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tahoe Boats Q5 S 2003 and the Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 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 S 2003 full specs ← Tahoe Boats Q5i Sport 2008 full specs