Both the Voyager Marine Series 4700 - 1047 2009 and the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 2009 are flat-bottom designs, both built in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 2009 measures 18,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Voyager Marine Series 4700 - 1047 2009 at 10,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 2009 tips the scales at 500 lbs - 420 lbs less than the Voyager Marine Series 4700 - 1047 2009 at 80 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 40 hp, the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 2009 has a 38-hp advantage over the Voyager Marine Series 4700 - 1047 2009's 2-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 3 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 2009 comes in at 13 lbs per hp versus 40 lbs per hp for the Voyager Marine Series 4700 - 1047 2009. 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.