The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 2009 vs Voyager Marine VS22FC Super Fish & Cruise 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 VS22FC Super Fish & Cruise 2006 measures 22,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 2009 at 18,0 feet (2009). At 5 lbs and 2 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 115 hp, the Voyager Marine VS22FC Super Fish & Cruise 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 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 VS22FC Super Fish & Cruise 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 2009 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Voyager Marine VS22FC Super Fish & Cruise 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Voyager Marine VS22FC Super Fish & Cruise 2006 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 0 lbs per hp for the Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 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 VS22FC Super Fish & Cruise 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 - 1885 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 VS22FC Super Fish & Cruise 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Voyager Marine Series 8500 - 1885 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.