Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 or the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013?

The Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 is the longer of the two at 20,3 feet overall. The Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 2,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 has a documented max rating of 40 hp. Engine specifications for the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 and Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 share an 94 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.

Q: Are the Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 and Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 and the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 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 RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013

Weld-Craft

Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009

2009

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Weld-Craft

Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 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 Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 carries a rated maximum of 40 hp. Engine data for the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 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 20 Sabre 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 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 70 (18 ft.)

Model20 Sabre

Model Year2009

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam94 in

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches94

Height - DetailSide: 26 in

Height - DetailSides: 33 in

Height - Meters0.66

Height - Meters0.84

Height - Inches26

Height - Inches33

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet20.25

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters6.17

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches243

Deadrisenot available

DeadriseTransom: 12°

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail2,600 lbs

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg1179.34

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.26

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail94 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typeFlat

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.19 in. Sides: 0.125 in. Transom: 0.19 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeNone

Drive typeJet Drive

Engine max40 hp (manual)

Engine maxnot available

Engine modelnot available

Engine model5.7 l MEFI-5

Jet pumpnot available

Jet pumpAmerican Turbine SD-309

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

Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 or the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013?

The Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 is the longer of the two at 20,3 feet overall. The Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 2,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 has a documented max rating of 40 hp. Engine specifications for the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 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 Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 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 Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 and Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 share an 94 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.

Are the Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 and Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 and the Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 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 RL 70 (18 ft.) 2009 full specs ← Weldcraft Marine 20 Sabre 2013 full specs