Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009
2009
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VS
Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005
2005
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Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 at 18,1 ft versus Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 tips the scales at 205 lbs — 181 lbs more than the Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 at 24 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWeldcraft Marine
MakeWeldcraft Marine
Model18 SJ
ModelRenegade - Jet
Model Year2009
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam86 in
Beam86 in
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inches86
Deadrise22.5° bow entry 16° forward entry 14° transom
Deadrise14℃
Weight - Detail2,050 lbs
Weight - Detail2,400 lbs
Weight - kg929.86
Weight - kg1088.62
Weight - lbs.205
Weight - lbs.24
Width [transom] - Detail86 x 0.160 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail30 x 0.100 in. sides
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches0.1
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet18.08
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Meters5.51
Length overall - Meters5.51
Length overall - Inches217
Length overall - Inches217
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model200 OptiMax SJ
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99
Fuel tank capacity - Gal42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal42
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeJet Drive
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardAmerican Turbine SD-309
Operational Info
Maximum capacity6 / 980 lbs
Maximum capacity960 lbs
Maximum people1,300 lbs
Maximum people6

Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 or the Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005?
The Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,1 feet overall. The Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 or the Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005?
For trailering, the Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 has the edge at 24 lbs dry weight versus 205 lbs for the Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 is certified for 6. 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.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 and Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 share an 86 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 and Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 42 gallons and 42 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 and Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weldcraft Marine 18 SJ 2009 and the Weldcraft Marine Renegade - Jet 2005 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.