Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Weld-Craft RS 48 (14 ft.) 2009 vs Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a flat Weld-Craft RS 48 (14 ft.) 2009 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2012 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 2012 has a 90-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft RS 48 (14 ft.) 2009'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 173 Rebel 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Weld-Craft RS 48 (14 ft.) 2009 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 173 Rebel 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 173 Rebel 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weld-Craft RS 48 (14 ft.) 2009 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
ModelRS 48 (14 ft.)
Model173 Rebel
Model Year2009
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches7
Beam - Inches92
Height - DetailSide: 22 in
Height - DetailSides: 34 in
Height - Meters0.56
Height - Meters0.86
Height - Inches22
Height - Inches34
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet17.25
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Inches168
Length overall - Inches207
Deadrisenot available
DeadriseBow: 24° Transom: 14°
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail1,305 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg591.94
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.1305
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail92 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeFlat
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.16 in. Sides: 0.10 in. Transom: 0.19 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeNone
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max25 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
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people5 / 750 lbs