Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 1652 DD Econo 2012 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 202 Rebel 2011 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Weld-Craft 1652 DD Econo 2012 measures 16,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Weldcraft Marine 202 Rebel 2011 at 2,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 202 Rebel 2011 tips the scales at 165 lbs — 158 lbs less than the Weld-Craft 1652 DD Econo 2012 at 7 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 202 Rebel 2011 has a 145-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft 1652 DD Econo 2012's 80-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 202 Rebel 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Weld-Craft 1652 DD Econo 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 202 Rebel 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Weld-Craft 1652 DD Econo 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Weldcraft Marine 202 Rebel 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 202 Rebel 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weld-Craft 1652 DD Econo 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.