Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 vs Weld-Craft CDL 42 (14 ft.) 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 against a flat Weld-Craft CDL 42 (14 ft.) 2010 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 25 hp for the Weld-Craft CDL 42 (14 ft.) 2010. 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 42 (14 ft.) 2010 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 42 (14 ft.)
Model Year2012
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Meters1.52
Beam - Inches74
Beam - Inches6
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 typeFlat
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 max25 hp (manual)
Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 vs Weld-Craft CDL 42 (14 ft.) 2010 — Common Questions
Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 or the Weld-Craft CDL 42 (14 ft.) 2010?
The Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 is the longer of the two at 16,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft CDL 42 (14 ft.) 2010 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 42 (14 ft.) 2010 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 42 (14 ft.) 2010 carry?
The Weld-Craft CDL 42 (14 ft.) 2010 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 6" for the Weld-Craft CDL 42 (14 ft.) 2010. 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 42 (14 ft.) 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1648 VCDS 2012 and the Weld-Craft CDL 42 (14 ft.) 2010 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.