Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special   2011 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011
2011
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VS
Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012
2012
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Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 and the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — 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?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 has a 200-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Bottom line: The Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 at 15,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 at 2,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeWeld-Craft
MakeWeldcraft Marine
Model1544 MV Special
Model20 Renegade SJ
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam66 in
Beam86 in
Beam - Meters1.68
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Inches66
Beam - Inches86
Width [transom] - Detail44 in
Width [transom] - Detail86 in
Height - Detail19 in. side
Height - DetailSides: 30 in
Height - Meters0.48
Height - Meters0.76
Height - Inches19
Height - Inches3
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet2
Deadrisenot available
DeadriseTransom: 14°
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail2,150 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg975.22
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.215
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail20 ft
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches24
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.080 in
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.16 in. Sides: 0.125 in. Transom: 0.16 in
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeJet Drive
Horsepower25 hp manual
Horsepower225
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model200 OptiMax SJ
Jet pumpnot available
Jet pumpAmerican Turbine SD-309
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal62
Operational Info
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people6 / 980 lbs

Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012?
The Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 is the longer of the two at 15,0 feet overall. The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 13,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 tops out at 25 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many passengers can the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 carry?
The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 has an official capacity rating of 6 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 measures 86" wide, compared to 66" for the Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 and Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 and the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 are built by Weld-Craft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.