Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006?

The Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 tops out at 115 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 Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 is certified for 9. 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 Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009. 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 Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006?

The Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 has the bigger tank at 151 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009. That 115-gallon difference translates to roughly 345–575 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 and the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 are built by Triton 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

Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006

Triton Boats

Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009

2009

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Triton Boats

Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats 2486 WA 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 300 hp, the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 has a 185-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009's 115-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 carries 151 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009. 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 Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 is rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 550 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeTriton Boats

Model18 Explorer

Model2486 WA

Model Year2009

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam91 in.

Beam8 ft. 6 in.

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches91

Beam - Inches102

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet25

Length - Inches6

Length - Inches8

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 8 in.

Length overall - Meters5.64

Length overall - Meters7.82

Length overall - Inches222

Length overall - Inches308

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail8 ft. 10 in.

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise20℃

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail18 in.

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.46

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches18

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail4,850 lbs.

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg2199.92

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.4850

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]30 in. Single 25 in. Twins

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail151 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters571.6

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel tank capacity - Gal151

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max115 hp

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

StorageRear Storage Boxes: 168 qt. Front Storage Box: 300 qt.

Storagenot available

Maximum people550 lbs.

Maximum people9

Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006?

The Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 tops out at 115 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 Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 is certified for 9. 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 Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009. 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 Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006?

The Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 has the bigger tank at 151 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009. That 115-gallon difference translates to roughly 345–575 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 and the Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 are built by Triton 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.

← Triton Boats 18 Explorer 2009 full specs ← Triton Boats 2486 WA 2006 full specs