Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine 186 2011
2011
View full specs →
VS
Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005
2005
View full specs →

Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 measures 18,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 16,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 tips the scales at 174 lbs — 148 lbs more than the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 at 26 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 has a 25-hp advantage over the Weldcraft Marine 186 2011's 200-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 carries 62 gallons versus 42 gallons in the Weldcraft Marine 186 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 186 2011 at 18,5 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 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
Model186
ModelSabre 20 ft. Jet
Model Year2011
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam98 in
Beam95 in
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches98
Beam - Inches95
Deadrise28° bow entry 28° forward entry 18° transom
Deadrise14℃
Weight - Detail1,740 lbs
Weight - Detail2,600 lbs
Weight - kg789.25
Weight - kg1179.34
Weight - lbs.174
Weight - lbs.26
Width [transom] - Detail98 x 0.190 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - DetailSides: 33 x 0.125 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches0.125
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet18.5
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Meters6.17
Length overall - Inches222
Length overall - Inches243
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
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 typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeJet Drive
Engine max200 hp
Engine max225 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,550 lbs
Maximum capacity1,200 lbs
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs
Maximum people6

Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005?
The Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,5 feet overall. The Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005?
For trailering, the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 has the edge at 26 lbs dry weight versus 174 lbs for the Weldcraft Marine 186 2011. 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 tops out at 200 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 Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 measures 98" wide, compared to 95" for the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005. 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005?
The Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 has the bigger tank at 62 gallons, versus 42 gallons on the Weldcraft Marine 186 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 186 2011 and Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. Jet 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weldcraft Marine 186 2011 and the Weldcraft Marine Sabre 20 ft. 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.