"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
...

The difference between a 175 and 185 is minimal believe it or not. You
would think the extra foot adds a lot but it doesn't.

One of the things I was thinking was just capacity. The 175 has a
Coast Guard sticker that says "7 people". We're a family of 4 and it
would be cool to invite another family of 4 on board. The 185 says 8
people so I was just thinking it would be better to have the 8. Of
course 1/2 those people will probably have to be little guys (pre-
teens).

======================

Those stickers refer to safe weight, not comfort. I have a 14 foot boat. I
can safely carry 5 people, according to the sticker. But, we'd be bored,
hungry & thirsty because there'd be no room for anything but people, some
rope, and the gas tank.

I can't imagine 8 people on an 18 foot boat. OK...maybe for about 20
minutes. But not much longer.