Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009?

The Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 comes in at 17,3 feet, making it roughly 0,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 tops out at 115 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.

Q: How many passengers can the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 carry?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 measures 92" wide, compared to 84" for the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 has the bigger tank at 42 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 and Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 and the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 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.

Boat Comparison

Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 2009

Weld-Craft

Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011

2011

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Weld-Craft

Weldcraft Marine 173 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 has a 35-hp advantage over the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009's 115-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 173 2009 carries 42 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 and its 150-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 with its 115-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeWeld-Craft

MakeWeldcraft Marine

Model1860 V Bass

Model173

Model Year2011

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam84 in

Beam92 in

Beam - Meters2.13

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Inches84

Beam - Inches92

Width [transom] - Detail60 in

Width [transom] - Detail92 x 0.190 in

Height - Detail22 in. side

Height - Detail34 x 0.100 in. sides

Height - Meters0.56

Height - Meters0

Height - Inches22

Height - Inches0.1

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet17.25

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise28.5° bow entry 24° forward entry 14° transom

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail1,305 lbs

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg591.94

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.1305

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters5.26

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches207

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Gal42

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Horsepower150 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine maxnot available

Engine max115 hp

Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009?

The Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 comes in at 17,3 feet, making it roughly 0,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 tops out at 115 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 Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 carry?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 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 Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 measures 92" wide, compared to 84" for the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 has the bigger tank at 42 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 and Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 and the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 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.

← Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2011 full specs ← Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 full specs