Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
AB Inflatables 19 DLX I/O- Widebody Bowrider 2011 vs AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 — Which Inflatable Rigid Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the AB Inflatables 19 DLX I/O- Widebody Bowrider 2011 and the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 measures 28,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the AB Inflatables 19 DLX I/O- Widebody Bowrider 2011 at 19,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Inflatables 19 DLX I/O- Widebody Bowrider 2011 tips the scales at 1 551 lbs — 1 265 lbs more than the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 at 286 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 300 hp, the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 has a 150-hp advantage over the AB Inflatables 19 DLX I/O- Widebody Bowrider 2011's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 carries 132 gallons versus 63 gallons in the AB Inflatables 19 DLX I/O- Widebody Bowrider 2011. 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 28 VST 2008 is rated for 25 passengers, while the AB Inflatables 19 DLX I/O- Widebody Bowrider 2011 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 25 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The AB Inflatables 19 DLX I/O- Widebody Bowrider 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeAB Inflatables
MakeAB Inflatables
Model19 DLX I/O- Widebody Bowrider
Model28 VST
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m) Inside: 4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Beam9 ft. 10 in. (3 m) Inside: 6 ft. 4 in. (1.92 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters3
Beam - Inches1
Beam - Inches118
Weight - Detail1,551 lbs. (705 kg)
Weight - Detail2,860 lbs. (1,300 kg)
Weight - kg703.52
Weight - kg1297.27
Weight - lbs.1551
Weight - lbs.286
Length [deck]13 ft. 5 in. (4.23 m)
Length [deck]22 ft. 11 in. (7 m)
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet28
Length overall - Detail19 ft. (5.79 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Meters5.79
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Inches228
Length overall - Inches336
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.53
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter21 in. (0.54 m)
Tube diameter24 in. (0.61 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail63.4 gal. (240 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail132 gal. (500 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters238.48
Fuel tank capacity - Liters499.67
Fuel tank capacity - Gal63.4
Fuel tank capacity - Gal132
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine max150 - 220 hp (111.9 - 164.1 kW)
Engine max300 - 400 hp (223.8 - 298.4 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacity10.5 gal. (40 l)
Water capacity52 gal. (200 l)
Maximum capacity3,192 lbs. (1,448 kg)
Maximum capacity4,796 lbs. (2,180 kg)
Maximum people1
Maximum people25