Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008
2008
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VS
Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010
2010
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Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 vs Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010 — A Close Look at Two Flats

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 and the Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010 are flat designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 60 hp, the Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 has a 25-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010's 35-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 4 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 and its 60-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010 with its 35-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeWeld-Craft
MakeWeld-Craft
Model1652 Sportsman
ModelRL 48 (16 ft.)
Model Year2008
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam74 in
Beam70 in
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches74
Beam - Inches7
Height - DetailSide: 22 in
Height - DetailSide: 22 in
Height - Meters0.56
Height - Meters0.56
Height - Inches22
Height - Inches22
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail16 ft
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches192
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeFlat
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeNone
Engine max60 hp (remote)
Engine max35 hp (manual)

Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 vs Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 or the Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010?
The Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010 is the longer of the two at 16,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010 tops out at 35 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 people can each boat hold?
The Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 measures 74" wide, compared to 7" for the Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 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 1652 Sportsman 2008 and Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 ft.) 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1652 Sportsman 2008 and the Weld-Craft RL 48 (16 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.