My Wahoo!

A pretty common question about Wahoos goes something like, “I just bought a sixteen foot 1989 Wahoo. Which model is it?” I had the same question myself immediately after buying my boat. And Wahoo itself changed model names and trim lines year to year, adding to the confusion. So here’s a disambiguation on sixteen foot Wahoos…

Models

First there are the models. From 1985 to 1989 the only sixteen foot Wahoo model was the 16.2, named for its sixteen feet two inch centerline. (It was also six feet two inches wide, so the name described both the boat’s length and beam.) In 1990 Wahoo models of all lengths went through a renaming (possibly to make them sound a little sexier). The 16.2 was renamed the 1650; same boat, same specs (including length), different model name.

In 1991 Wahoo introduced a deep V, air-chambered hull to its line of boats. These were identified by the appellation LX in the model name (the absence of LX in the name signified the existing, Whaler-styled hull).  The initial sixteen foot deep V model offered in 1991 was named the 1650 LX.

The were two other short-lived sixteen foot Wahoos:

• In 1990 (and for that year only) Wahoo put out a sixteen foot side console named the 16.5 Special. The hull had the same specs as the 1650. Feature-wise it was more bare bones than the 1650, with a smaller console and shorter rail but with a slightly larger (fifteen gallon) fuel tank.
• In 1996, its final year, Wahoo put out to F-1600 EFS. Author’s note–still researching.

Trim Lines

In 1985, its initial year, Wahoo offered two trim lines of the 16.2: the LTD, a side console; and the Twin, a twin console. These were joined in 1987 by the Striper, a center console designed as a family fishing boat. Things were stable after that until 1992.

• In 1992 the 1650 LTD  was discontinued.
• In 1993 the 1650 Lazer was added. The Lazer was a same as the 1650 Twin but with features geared towards younger people: a stereo, swim platform, custom upholstery and graphics, and a sport wheel.
• In 1994 the 1650 Striper was discontinued, its position as the sixteen foot Wahoo fishing boat replaced by the new 1650 Striper LX.
• In 1995 the base model LX was discontinued and the Lightening was added. xxx
• In 1996 the F-1600 EFS was added. The 1650 Twin was renamed to the 1650 DC. The original 1650 Striper was returned to production, renamed the 1650 CC. All other models/trim lines were discontinued.

The following table summarizes the years the various Wahoo sixteen foot models/trim lines were in production.