Both the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 Open 2008 and the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 Open 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 Open 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 Open 2009 at 18,0 ft. At 430 lbs and 500 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 40 hp for the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 Open 2008 and 40 hp for the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 Open 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

Both boats are rated for 2 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 - 1685 Open 2008 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 Open 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.