Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 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 Rebel 2008 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 tops out at 60 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 passengers can the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 carry?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 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.

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

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 measures 88" wide, compared to 74" for the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 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.

Q: Are the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 and Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 and the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 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 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008

Weld-Craft

Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011

2011

View full specs →

Weld-Craft

Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 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 Rebel 2008 has a 55-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 and its 115-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 with its 60-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeWeld-Craft

MakeWeldcraft Marine

Model1652 MUV Sportsman

Model173 Rebel

Model Year2011

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam74 in

Beam88 in

Beam - Meters1.88

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Inches74

Beam - Inches88

Width [transom] - Detail52 in

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - Detail22 in. side

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.56

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches22

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Feet16

Length - Feet17

Deadrisenot available

DeadriseBottom: 24℃ bow to 14℃ variable at transom

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail1,325 lbs

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg601.01

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.1325

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches3

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters5.26

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches207

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Horsepower60 hp remote

Horsepowernot available

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

Engine maxnot available

Engine max115 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,450 lbs. (motor, persons, gear)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people5 or 750 lbs

Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 tops out at 60 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 Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 carry?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 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 Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 measures 88" wide, compared to 74" for the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 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 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 and Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 and the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 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 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 full specs ← Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 full specs