Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 or the Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003?

For trailering, the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 has the edge at 1 194 lbs dry weight versus 1 460 lbs for the Tracker Targa 18 WT 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 tops out at 60 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 Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Tracker Targa 18 WT 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 2003 measures 96" wide, compared to 82" for the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005. 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 Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 or the Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003?

The Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 has the bigger tank at 40 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 and Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 and the Tracker Targa 18 WT 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 Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003

Tracker

Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005

2005

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Tracker

Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 175 hp, the Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 has a 115-hp advantage over the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005's 60-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 carries 40 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005. 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 2003 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tracker Targa 18 WT 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 Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeTracker

ModelPro Guide? V-16 WT

ModelTarga 18 WT

Model Year2005

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam82 in.

Beam96 in.

Beam - Meters2.08

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches82

Beam - Inches96

Depth - Detail23 in.

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters58.42

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches23

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,194 lbs.

Weight - Detail1460 Lbs.

Weight - kg541.59

Weight - kg662.24

Weight - lbs.1194

Weight - lbs.1460

Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 69 in.

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in.

Height [transom]21 in.

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in.

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Meters4.93

Length overall - Meters5.64

Length overall - Inches194

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 thickness0.09

Hull thicknessnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury? 40 ELPTO

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal40

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max60 hp

Engine max175 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,215 lbs.

Maximum capacity1500 Lbs.

Maximum people5

Maximum people6 Persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailTrailstar Drive-On Trailer

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over allw/ Transom Saver 21 ft. 2 in. w/o Transom Saver 20 ft. 7 in.

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight1,895 lbs. (approx.)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width6 ft. 11 in.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 vs Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 or the Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003?

For trailering, the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 has the edge at 1 194 lbs dry weight versus 1 460 lbs for the Tracker Targa 18 WT 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 tops out at 60 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 Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Tracker Targa 18 WT 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 2003 measures 96" wide, compared to 82" for the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005. 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 Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 or the Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003?

The Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 has the bigger tank at 40 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 and Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 and the Tracker Targa 18 WT 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 Pro Guide V-16 WT 2005 full specs ← Tracker Targa 18 WT 2003 full specs