Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005 vs VIP Vegas 185 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005 vs VIP Vegas 185 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 135 hp, the VIP Vegas 185 2007 has a 45-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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 2 gal and 2 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The VIP Vegas 185 2007 is rated for 8 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 Vegas 185 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the VIP Vegas 185 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 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
ModelVegas 185
Model Year2005
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.24
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches88
Deadrise9℃
Deadrise16.5℃
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches5
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Inches207
Length overall - Inches221
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail2,300 lbs. (4-cylinder) 2,500 lbs. (6-cylinder)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1133.98
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.25
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard90 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max90 hp
Engine max135-190 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailModel 7981SN Single Axle Galvanized Trailer w/14 in. Galvanized Wheels
Trailer - DetailModel 7954SN single axle w/ chrome wheels & lug nuts
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Height75 in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 2 in
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - WeightTow Weight: 3,300 lbs
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width92 in
Operational Info
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people8 or 1,150 lbs