Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 vs Triton Boats DV 186 SC Mag 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 vs Triton Boats DV 186 SC Mag 2005 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 measures 23,7 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 5,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Triton Boats DV 186 SC Mag 2005 at 18,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats DV 186 SC Mag 2005 tips the scales at 165 lbs — 141 lbs less than the Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 at 24 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 200 hp for the Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 and 200 hp for the Triton Boats DV 186 SC Mag 2005. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 carries 86 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Triton Boats DV 186 SC Mag 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 Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Triton Boats DV 186 SC Mag 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 23,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats DV 186 SC Mag 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeTriton Boats
MakeTriton Boats
Model238 Bay Explorer
ModelDV 186 SC Mag
Model Year201
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches96
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise15℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail12 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.3
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches12
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail2,400 lbs
Weight - Detail1,650 lbs
Weight - kg1088.62
Weight - kg748.43
Weight - lbs.24
Weight - lbs.165
Height [transom]25 in
Height [transom]25 in
Length - Feet23.67
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 8 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Meters7.21
Length overall - Meters5.66
Length overall - Inches284
Length overall - Inches223
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - DetailSide Depth: 25 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches25
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness.125
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail86 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters325.55
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal86
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Horsepower200 - 25
Horsepowernot available
Engine maxnot available
Engine max200 hp
Operational Info
StorageBaitwells: 15 & 28 gal. Fish / Storage Boxes: 281 qt. total Ice Chest: 94 qt
Storagenot available
Maximum people9 / 1,300 lbs
Maximum people6
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,800 lbs