Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine 18 2011
2011
View full specs →
VS
Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012
2012
View full specs →

Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 against a modified vee Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 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 Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 measures 18,1 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 16,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 at 2,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 tips the scales at 215 lbs — 191 lbs less than the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 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.

The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 tops out at 225 hp. Engine specs for the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 carries 62 gallons versus 42 gallons in the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 6 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: The Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 at 18,1 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 at 2,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeWeldcraft Marine
MakeWeldcraft Marine
Model18
Model20 Renegade SJ
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
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
DeadriseTransom: 14°
Weight - Detail2,400 lbs
Weight - Detail2,150 lbs
Weight - kg1088.62
Weight - kg975.22
Weight - lbs.24
Weight - lbs.215
Width [transom] - Detail86 x 0.160 in
Width [transom] - Detail86 in
Height - DetailSides: 30 x 0.100 in
Height - DetailSides: 30 in
Height - Meters0
Height - Meters0.76
Height - Inches0.1
Height - Inches3
Length - Feet18.08
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft
Length overall - Meters5.51
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches217
Length overall - Inches24
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.16 in. Sides: 0.125 in. Transom: 0.16 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine modelMarine Power 5.0 V-8 carb
Engine model200 OptiMax SJ
Jet pumpAmerican Turbine SD-309
Jet pumpAmerican Turbine SD-309
Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7
Fuel tank capacity - Gal42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal62
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeJet Drive
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower225
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs
Maximum people6 / 980 lbs
Maximum people6 / 980 lbs

Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012?
The Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,1 feet overall. The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012?
For trailering, the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 has the edge at 24 lbs dry weight versus 215 lbs for the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012. 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 has a documented max rating of 225 hp. Engine specifications for the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 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 2011 and Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012?
The Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 has the bigger tank at 62 gallons, versus 42 gallons on the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 and Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weldcraft Marine 18 2011 and the Weldcraft Marine 20 Renegade SJ 2012 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.