Both the AB Inflatables 15 VST 2013 and the AB Inflatables 16 AL 2009 are rigid inflatable designs, the first built in fibreglass and the second in aluminium, so 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 15 VST 2013 at 15,0 ft versus AB Inflatables 16 AL 2009 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Inflatables 15 VST 2013 tips the scales at 570 lbs - 222 lbs more than the AB Inflatables 16 AL 2009 at 348 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the AB Inflatables 15 VST 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the AB Inflatables 16 AL 2009's 50-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 AB Inflatables 16 AL 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the AB Inflatables 15 VST 2013 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the AB Inflatables 16 AL 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The AB Inflatables 16 AL 2009 comes in at 7 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the AB Inflatables 15 VST 2013. 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.