Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 boat specs
Triton Boats
Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012
2012
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VS
Triton Boats DV 16 2010 boat specs
Triton Boats
Triton Boats DV 16 2010
2010
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Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 vs Triton Boats DV 16 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 against a deep vee Triton Boats DV 16 2010 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 at 18,0 ft versus Triton Boats DV 16 2010 at 16,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 tips the scales at 958 lbs — 957 lbs more than the Triton Boats DV 16 2010 at 1 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 — 75 hp for the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 and 90 hp for the Triton Boats DV 16 2010. 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 Ambush 18 2012 carries 24 gallons versus 17 gallons in the Triton Boats DV 16 2010. 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 DV 16 2010 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats DV 16 2010 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Triton Boats DV 16 2010 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats DV 16 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 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
MakeTriton Boats
MakeTriton Boats
ModelAmbush 18
ModelDV 16
Model Year2012
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam79 in
Beam87 in
Beam - Meters2.01
Beam - Meters2.21
Beam - Inches79
Beam - Inches87
Depth - Detail22 in
Depth - DetailMaximum Cockpit Depth: 26 in. Maximum Depth: 35 in
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Centimeters88.9
Depth - Inches22
Depth - Inches35
Weight - Detail958 lbs
Weight - Detail1,000 lbs
Weight - kg434.54
Weight - kg453.59
Weight - lbs.958
Weight - lbs.1
Width [transom] - Detail61 in. bottom
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]20 in
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet16.25
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters4.95
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches195
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise12℃
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in
Hull thicknessSides: 0.090 Transom: 0.125 Bottom: 0.09
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail17 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters64.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Gal17
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepower75 - 90 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine maxnot available
Engine max90 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people4 / 600 lbs
Maximum people5
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,295 lbs
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailStandard

Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 vs Triton Boats DV 16 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 or the Triton Boats DV 16 2010?
The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats DV 16 2010 comes in at 16,3 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 or the Triton Boats DV 16 2010?
For trailering, the Triton Boats DV 16 2010 has the edge at 1 lbs dry weight versus 958 lbs for the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012. 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 Triton Boats DV 16 2010 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 tops out at 75 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 Ambush 18 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Triton Boats DV 16 2010 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Triton Boats DV 16 2010 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 0 lbs per hp compared to 13 lbs per hp for the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Triton Boats DV 16 2010 measures 87" wide, compared to 79" for the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012. 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 Ambush 18 2012 or the Triton Boats DV 16 2010?
The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 17 gallons on the Triton Boats DV 16 2010. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 and Triton Boats DV 16 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2012 and the Triton Boats DV 16 2010 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.