Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005 vs VIP Deckliner 183 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005 vs VIP Deckliner 183 2007 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 115 hp, the VIP Deckliner 183 2007 has a 25-hp advantage over the VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005'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 VIP Deckliner 183 2007 carries 46 gallons versus 2 gallons in the VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 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 VIP Deckliner 183 2007 is rated for 7 passengers, while the VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the VIP Deckliner 183 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the VIP Deckliner 183 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 VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005 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
ModelBay Stealth Competitor 173
ModelDeckliner 183
Model Year2005
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches96
Deadrise9℃
Deadrisenot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Inches207
Length overall - Inches22
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg771.11
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.17
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]25 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard90 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal46
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp
Engine max115-150 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailModel 7981SN Single Axle Galvanized Trailer w/14 in. Galvanized Wheels
Trailer - DetailModel 7900SN color-coordinated single axle w/ chrome wheels & lug nuts, or Model 7901SN galvanized single axle w/ galvanized wheels
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 5 in
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - WeightTow Weight: 3,200 lbs
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width97 in
Operational Info
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people7 or 1,694 lbs