Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Weld-Craft RL 52 (17 ft.) 2008 vs Weldcraft Marine 186 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a flat Weld-Craft RL 52 (17 ft.) 2008 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 186 2010 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 200 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 186 2010 has a 165-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft RL 52 (17 ft.) 2008's 35-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 186 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Weld-Craft RL 52 (17 ft.) 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 186 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 186 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weld-Craft RL 52 (17 ft.) 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWeld-Craft
MakeWeldcraft Marine
ModelRL 52 (17 ft.)
Model186
Model Year2008
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Inches74
Beam - Inches98
Height - DetailSide: 22 in
Height - DetailSides: 33 x 0.125 in
Height - Meters0.56
Height - Meters0
Height - Inches22
Height - Inches0.125
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet18.5
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Inches204
Length overall - Inches222
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise28° bow entry 28° forward entry 18° transom
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail1,740 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg789.25
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.174
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 typeOutboard
Engine max35 hp (manual)
Engine max200 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal42
Operational Info
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,550 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs