Tracker Guide V 12 2003 vs Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Tracker Guide V 12 2003 or the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006?

For trailering, the Tracker Guide V 12 2003 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 155 lbs for the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006. 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 Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tracker Guide V 12 2003 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 Tracker Guide V 12 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 is certified for 7. 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 Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 measures 98" wide, compared to 66" for the Tracker Guide V 12 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: Are the Tracker Guide V 12 2003 and Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tracker Guide V 12 2003 and the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 are built by Tracker. 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

Tracker Guide V 12 2003 vs Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006

Tracker

Tracker Guide V 12 2003

2003

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Tracker

Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tracker Guide V 12 2003 vs Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tracker Guide V 12 2003 vs Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 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 175 hp, the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 has a 160-hp advantage over the Tracker Guide V 12 2003's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Tracker Guide V 12 2003 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Tracker Guide V 12 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeTracker

ModelGuide V 12

ModelTarga? 185 Sport

Model Year2003

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam66 in

Beam98 in

Beam - Meters1.68

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Inches66

Beam - Inches98

Weight - Detail210 Lbs

Weight - Detail1,550 lbs

Weight - kg95.25

Weight - kg703.07

Weight - lbs.21

Weight - lbs.155

Height [transom]16 in

Height [transom]25 in

Length overall - Detail12 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters3.71

Length overall - Meters5.64

Length overall - Inches146

Length overall - Inches222

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 82 in

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.1

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max15 HP

Engine max175 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard90 EXLPT OptiMax? Motor

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity610 Lbs

Maximum capacity1,755 lbs

Maximum people3 Persons

Maximum people7

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailTrailstar Drive-On Trailer w/ Swing-Away Tongue

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allw/ Transom Saver 23 ft. 1 in. w/o Transom Saver 22 ft. 0 in

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,420 lbs. (approx.)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 3 in

Tracker Guide V 12 2003 vs Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Tracker Guide V 12 2003 or the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006?

For trailering, the Tracker Guide V 12 2003 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 155 lbs for the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006. 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 Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tracker Guide V 12 2003 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 Tracker Guide V 12 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 is certified for 7. 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 Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 measures 98" wide, compared to 66" for the Tracker Guide V 12 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.

Are the Tracker Guide V 12 2003 and Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tracker Guide V 12 2003 and the Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 are built by Tracker. 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.

← Tracker Guide V 12 2003 full specs ← Tracker Targa 185 Sport 2006 full specs