Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 is the longer of the two at 17,3 feet overall. The Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 tops out at 40 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 is certified for 5. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 measures 92" wide, compared to 7" for the Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009. 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.

Q: Are the Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 and Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 and the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 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.

Boat Comparison

Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 2009

Weld-Craft

Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009

2009

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Weld-Craft

Weldcraft Marine 173 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 has a 75-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 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 Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeWeld-Craft

MakeWeldcraft Marine

Model1648 V Stick Steering

Model173

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam70 in

Beam92 in

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Inches7

Beam - Inches92

Height - DetailSide: 22 in

Height - Detail34 x 0.100 in. sides

Height - Meters0.56

Height - Meters0

Height - Inches22

Height - Inches0.1

Length - Feet16

Length - Feet17.25

Length overall - Detail16 ft

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Meters5.26

Length overall - Inches192

Length overall - Inches207

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise28.5° bow entry 24° forward entry 14° transom

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail1,305 lbs

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg591.94

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.1305

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail92 x 0.190 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typeFlat

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max40 hp (remote)

Engine max115 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal42

Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 is the longer of the two at 17,3 feet overall. The Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 tops out at 40 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 people can each boat hold?

The Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 is certified for 5. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 measures 92" wide, compared to 7" for the Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009. 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 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 and Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 and the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 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.

← Weld-Craft 1648 V Stick Steering 2009 full specs ← Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 full specs