Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Weld-Craft RL 42 (15 ft.) 2008 vs Weldcraft Marine 201 SD 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a flat Weld-Craft RL 42 (15 ft.) 2008 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 201 SD 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 250 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 201 SD 2009 has a 225-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft RL 42 (15 ft.) 2008's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Weldcraft Marine 201 SD 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Weld-Craft RL 42 (15 ft.) 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 201 SD 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 201 SD 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weld-Craft RL 42 (15 ft.) 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWeld-Craft
MakeWeldcraft Marine
ModelRL 42 (15 ft.)
Model201 SD
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.52
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Inches6
Beam - Inches98
Height - DetailSide: 19 in
Height - Detail33 x 0.125 in. sides
Height - Meters0.48
Height - Meters0
Height - Inches19
Height - Inches0.125
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet20.08
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Meters4.57
Length overall - Meters6.12
Length overall - Inches18
Length overall - Inches241
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise33° bow entry 28° forward entry 18° transom
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail2,995 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1358.51
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.2995
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail98 x 0.190 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeFlat
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeNone
Drive typeI/O
Engine max25 hp (manual)
Engine max250 hp
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelMerCruiser V6 4.3 l carb
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal62