The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 2009 vs Voyager Marine VF20SPT Sport Fish 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 2009 measures 16,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Voyager Marine VF20SPT Sport Fish 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). At 43 lbs and 15 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 90 hp, the Voyager Marine VF20SPT Sport Fish 2006 has a 50-hp advantage over the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 2009'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 Series 8500 - 1685 2009 is rated for 3 passengers, while the Voyager Marine VF20SPT Sport Fish 2006 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Voyager Marine VF20SPT Sport Fish 2006 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 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.
The Voyager Marine VF20SPT Sport Fish 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 2009 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1685 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 3 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Voyager Marine VF20SPT Sport Fish 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.