When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the AB Inflatables 11 DLX 2011 and the AB Inflatables 12 VST 2012 are inflatable rigid designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — AB Inflatables 11 DLX 2011 at 11,0 ft versus AB Inflatables 12 VST 2012 at 12,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Inflatables 12 VST 2012 tips the scales at 427 lbs — 383 lbs less than the AB Inflatables 11 DLX 2011 at 44 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 30 hp for the AB Inflatables 11 DLX 2011 and 30 hp for the AB Inflatables 12 VST 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the AB Inflatables 11 DLX 2011 carries 11 gallons versus 1 gallons in the AB Inflatables 12 VST 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The AB Inflatables 12 VST 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the AB Inflatables 11 DLX 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the AB Inflatables 12 VST 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The AB Inflatables 11 DLX 2011 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the AB Inflatables 12 VST 2012. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the AB Inflatables 12 VST 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 12,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The AB Inflatables 11 DLX 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.