The Voyager Marine Paddle Jon 2006 vs Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 Open 2008 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 Paddle Jon 2006 at 17,0 ft versus Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 Open 2008 at 16,0 ft. At 12 lbs and 43 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 40 hp, the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 Open 2008 has a 30-hp advantage over the Voyager Marine Paddle Jon 2006's 10-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 Paddle Jon 2006 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 Open 2008 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 Paddle Jon 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 Open 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Voyager Marine Paddle Jon 2006. 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 Voyager Marine Paddle Jon 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 Open 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.