The Voyager Marine 1870CC 2010 vs Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 18 Feet (Open) 2006 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Voyager Marine 1870CC 2010 at 18,3 ft versus Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 18 Feet (Open) 2006 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Voyager Marine 1870CC 2010 tips the scales at 860 lbs - 360 lbs more than the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 18 Feet (Open) 2006 at 500 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Voyager Marine 1870CC 2010 has a 75-hp advantage over the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 18 Feet (Open) 2006's 40-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Voyager Marine 1870CC 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 18 Feet (Open) 2006 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Voyager Marine 1870CC 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Voyager Marine 1870CC 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 18,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 18 Feet (Open) 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.