Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 vs Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 against a flat Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 60 hp for the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 and 40 hp for the Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 2008. 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 and its 60-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 2008 with its 40-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeWeld-Craft
MakeWeld-Craft
Model1652 MUV Sportsman
ModelCDS 56 (17 ft.)
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Meters1.98
Beam - Inches74
Beam - Inches78
Width [transom] - Detail52 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail22 in. side
Height - DetailSide: 22 in
Height - Meters0.56
Height - Meters0.56
Height - Inches22
Height - Inches22
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches204
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeNone
Horsepower60 hp remote
Horsepowernot available
Engine maxnot available
Engine max40 hp (manual)
Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 vs Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 2008 — Common Questions
Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 or the Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 2008?
The Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 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 Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 2008 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 passengers can the Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 2008 carry?
The Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 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 Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 2008 measures 78" 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 Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1652 MUV Sportsman 2011 and the Weld-Craft CDS 56 (17 ft.) 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.