Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 vs Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 against a pontoon Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 35 hp for the Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 and 20 hp for the Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009. 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 1648 VCDS 2012 and Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009 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
Model1648 VCDS
ModelCDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.)
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Meters1.5
Beam - Inches74
Beam - Inches59
Width [transom] - Detail49 in. bottom
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail22 in. side
Height - DetailSide: 19 in
Height - Meters0.56
Height - Meters0.48
Height - Inches22
Height - Inches19
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet14
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches168
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine model17 or 21 in. shaft
Engine modelnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeNone
Horsepower35 hp manual
Horsepowernot available
Engine maxnot available
Engine max20 hp (manual)
Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 vs Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009 — Common Questions
Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 or the Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009?
The Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 is the longer of the two at 16,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009 comes in at 14,0 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 1648 VCDS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 35 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009 tops out at 20 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 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009 carry?
The Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009 has an official capacity rating of 4 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 1648 VCDS 2012 measures 74" wide, compared to 59" for the Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 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 VCDS 2012 and Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 and the Weld-Craft CDL 36 Pontoon (14 ft.) 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.