VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 vs VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 or the VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005?

The VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 has a documented max rating of 250 hp. Engine specifications for the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 and VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 share an 102 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 and VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 and the VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 are built by VIP. 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

VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 vs VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005

VIP

VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006

2006

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VIP

VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 vs VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 vs VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 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.

The VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 tops out at 250 hp. Engine specs for the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 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

MakeVIP

ModelBay Stealth 188 Competitor

ModelVanquish 203 SBR O/B

Model Year2006

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise10℃

Deadrise17℃

Height [transom]25 in

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet2

Length - Inches8

Length - Inches3

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Meters6.17

Length overall - Inches224

Length overall - Inches243

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail41 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters155.2

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal41

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard115?200 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max250 hp

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailModel 7907SN single axle galvanized w/ 14 in. galvanized wheels

Trailer - DetailModel 8112TB Silver Tandem Axle Trailer with Drum Brakes with Swing-Away Tongue, with Chrome Wheels and Chrome Lug Nuts

VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 vs VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 or the VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005?

The VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 has a documented max rating of 250 hp. Engine specifications for the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 and VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 share an 102 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 and VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 and the VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 are built by VIP. 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.

← VIP Bay Stealth 188 Competitor 2006 full specs ← VIP Vanquish 203 SBR O/B 2005 full specs