Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 vs Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 against a flat Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 25 hp for the Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 and 40 hp for the Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007. 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.
Bottom line: The Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 and Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeWeld-Craft
MakeWeld-Craft
Model1544 MV Special
ModelCDL 60 (17 ft.)
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.68
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Inches66
Beam - Inches84
Width [transom] - Detail44 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail19 in. side
Height - DetailSide: 26 in
Height - Meters0.48
Height - Meters0.66
Height - Inches19
Height - Inches26
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches204
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.080 in
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeNone
Horsepower25 hp manual
Horsepowernot available
Engine maxnot available
Engine max40 hp (manual)
Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 vs Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 — Common Questions
Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 or the Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007?
The Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 is rated to a maximum of 40 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 Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 carry?
The Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 has an official capacity rating of 5 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 Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 measures 84" 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 Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1544 MV Special 2011 and the Weld-Craft CDL 60 (17 ft.) 2007 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.