Side by Side Here you can see the extra length of the 18 footer. But where does it come from?

Not Here! The distance from the transom to the center bench NEVER changes.
 

HERE! This is where the difference lies. The distance between the center bench and the front deck is a difference of 2 feet! This is valuable space because, let's face it, everything you take with you will be right HERE! More room for gear, coupled with the fact that the longer boat will outperform the shorter one with a heavy load.

16x44 Guide Edition Shown with optional gun box and 60/40 divided bench.

18x44 Guide Edition Shown with optional gun box and 60/40 divided compartment bench.

Extended Deck....or No Extended Deck?
These boats are both 17x50's. The one on the left has an extended deck. The one on the right has nothing but the original deck. The extended deck takes up 14" of space. However, it gives you more room to fish, a place to put your gas tank and battery up front, and offers more storage when the extended deck hatch is added.