Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 vs Tracker V-16 SC 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 or the Tracker V-16 SC 2003?

For trailering, the Tracker V-16 SC 2003 has the edge at 1 200 lbs dry weight versus 1 395 lbs for the Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007. 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 SC 2007 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tracker V-16 SC 2003 tops out at 90 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 Targa 185 SC 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Tracker V-16 SC 2003 is certified for 5. 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 SC 2007 measures 98" wide, compared to 92" for the Tracker V-16 SC 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 Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 or the Tracker V-16 SC 2003?

The Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 has the bigger tank at 40 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Tracker V-16 SC 2003. 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 Targa 185 SC 2007 and Tracker V-16 SC 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 and the Tracker V-16 SC 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 Targa 185 SC 2007 vs Tracker V-16 SC 2003

Tracker

Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007

2007

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Tracker

Tracker V-16 SC 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 vs Tracker V-16 SC 2003: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 vs Tracker V-16 SC 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 185 SC 2007 has a 85-hp advantage over the Tracker V-16 SC 2003's 90-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 185 SC 2007 carries 40 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Tracker V-16 SC 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 185 SC 2007 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Tracker V-16 SC 2003 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 185 SC 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 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 V-16 SC 2003 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

ModelTarga? 185 SC

ModelV-16 SC

Model Year2007

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam98 in.

Beam92 in.

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Inches98

Beam - Inches92

Depth - Detail27 in.

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters68.58

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches27

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,395 lbs.

Weight - Detail1200 Lbs.

Weight - kg632.76

Weight - kg544.31

Weight - lbs.1395

Weight - lbs.1200

Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 82 in.

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in.

Height [transom]20 in.

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in.

Length overall - Meters5.64

Length overall - Meters4.93

Length overall - Inches222

Length overall - Inches194

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail23 in.

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.58

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches23

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in.

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury? 90 EXLPTO TwoStroke

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal40

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max175 hp

Engine max90 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,755 lbs.

Maximum capacity1175 Lbs.

Maximum people7

Maximum people5 Persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailColor-coordinated drive-on

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight2,870 lbs. (approx.)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 3 in.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 vs Tracker V-16 SC 2003 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 or the Tracker V-16 SC 2003?

For trailering, the Tracker V-16 SC 2003 has the edge at 1 200 lbs dry weight versus 1 395 lbs for the Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007. 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 SC 2007 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Tracker V-16 SC 2003 tops out at 90 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 Targa 185 SC 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Tracker V-16 SC 2003 is certified for 5. 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 SC 2007 measures 98" wide, compared to 92" for the Tracker V-16 SC 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 Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 or the Tracker V-16 SC 2003?

The Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 has the bigger tank at 40 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Tracker V-16 SC 2003. 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 Targa 185 SC 2007 and Tracker V-16 SC 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Tracker Targa 185 SC 2007 and the Tracker V-16 SC 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 Targa 185 SC 2007 full specs ← Tracker V-16 SC 2003 full specs