Tracker Panfish 17 2008 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Tracker Panfish 17 2008 or the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003?

For trailering, the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 808 lbs for the Tracker Panfish 17 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 Tracker Panfish 17 2008 has a documented max rating of 50 hp. Engine specifications for the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 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 Tracker Panfish 17 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 is certified for 6. 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 18 WT I/O 2003 measures 96" wide, compared to 75" for the Tracker Panfish 17 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 Tracker Panfish 17 2008 or the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003?

The Tracker Panfish 17 2008 has the bigger tank at 9 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003. 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 Tracker Panfish 17 2008 and Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tracker Panfish 17 2008 and the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 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 Panfish 17 2008 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003

Tracker

Tracker Panfish 17 2008

2008

View full specs →

Tracker

Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tracker Panfish 17 2008 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tracker Panfish 17 2008 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 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 Tracker Panfish 17 2008 carries a rated maximum of 50 hp. Engine data for the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Tracker Panfish 17 2008 carries 9 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 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 Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Tracker Panfish 17 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Tracker Panfish 17 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeTracker

ModelPanfish? 17

ModelTarga 18 WT I/O

Model Year2008

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam75 in

Beam96 in

Beam - Meters1.91

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches75

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise7℃

Deadrisenot available

Weight - Detail808 lbs

Weight - Detail1400 Lbs

Weight - kg366.5

Weight - kg635.03

Weight - lbs.808

Weight - lbs.14

Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 54 in

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]21 in

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters4.95

Length overall - Meters5.64

Length overall - Inches195

Length overall - Inches222

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail28 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.71

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches28

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury? 25 EL FourStroke EFI

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail9 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Liters34.07

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Gal9

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max50 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity880 lbs

Maximum capacity1500 Lbs

Maximum people4 @ 540 lbs

Maximum people6 Persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all18 ft. 1 in. (with swing-away)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight1,385 lbs. (including boat)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width6 ft. 4 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Tracker Panfish 17 2008 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Tracker Panfish 17 2008 or the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003?

For trailering, the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 808 lbs for the Tracker Panfish 17 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 Tracker Panfish 17 2008 has a documented max rating of 50 hp. Engine specifications for the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 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 Tracker Panfish 17 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 is certified for 6. 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 18 WT I/O 2003 measures 96" wide, compared to 75" for the Tracker Panfish 17 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 Tracker Panfish 17 2008 or the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003?

The Tracker Panfish 17 2008 has the bigger tank at 9 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003. 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 Tracker Panfish 17 2008 and Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Tracker Panfish 17 2008 and the Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 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 Panfish 17 2008 full specs ← Tracker Targa 18 WT I/O 2003 full specs