Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 comes in at 12,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 tops out at 15 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 people can each boat hold?

The Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 is certified for 5. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 measures 88" wide, compared to 59" for the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007. 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: Are the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 and Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 and the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 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 RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008

Weld-Craft

Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007

2007

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Weld-Craft

Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 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 115 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 has a 100-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007's 15-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 173 Rebel 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeWeld-Craft

MakeWeldcraft Marine

ModelRS 36 (12 ft.)

Model173 Rebel

Model Year2007

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam59 in

Beam88 in

Beam - Meters1.5

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Inches59

Beam - Inches88

Height - DetailSide: 19 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.48

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches19

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Feet12

Length - Feet17

Length overall - Detail12 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters3.66

Length overall - Meters5.26

Length overall - Inches144

Length overall - Inches207

Deadrisenot available

DeadriseBottom: 24℃ bow to 14℃ variable at transom

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail1,325 lbs

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg601.01

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.1325

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches3

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typeFlat

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeNone

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max15 hp (manual)

Engine max115 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 capacity1,450 lbs. (motor, persons, gear)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people5 or 750 lbs

Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 or the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 comes in at 12,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 tops out at 15 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 Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 is certified for 5. 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 173 Rebel 2008 measures 88" wide, compared to 59" for the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007. 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.

Are the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 and Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Weld-Craft RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 and the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 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 RS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 full specs ← Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2008 full specs