Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
AB Inflatables 19 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2008 vs AB Inflatables 28 VST 2009: Which Rigid Inflatable Boat Fits Your Needs?
Both the AB Inflatables 19 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2008 and the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2009 are rigid inflatable designs, both built in fibreglass, 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The AB Inflatables 28 VST 2009 measures 28,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the AB Inflatables 19 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2008 at 19,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2009 tips the scales at 2 860 lbs - 1 430 lbs less than the AB Inflatables 19 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2008 at 1 430 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 250 hp, the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2009 has a 100-hp advantage over the AB Inflatables 19 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2008'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 2009 carries 132 gallons versus 63 gallons in the AB Inflatables 19 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2008. 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 2009 is rated for 25 passengers, while the AB Inflatables 19 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2008 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the AB Inflatables 28 VST 2009 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 - Widebody Bowrider 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeAB Inflatables
MakeAB Inflatables
Model19 DLX - Widebody Bowrider
Model28 VST
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m) Inside: 4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Beam9 ft. 10 in. (3 m) Inside: 6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Meters3
Beam - Inches99
Beam - Inches118
Weight - Detail1,430 lbs. (650 kg)
Weight - Detail2,860 lbs. (1,297 kg)
Weight - kg648.64
Weight - kg1297.27
Weight - lbs.1430
Weight - lbs.2860
Length [deck]13 ft. 5 in. (4.23 m)
Length [deck]22 ft. 11 in. (6.99 m)
Length - Meters5.79
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet28
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 0 in. (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
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 typeOutboard - Twin
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine max150 - 220 hp (111.9 - 164.1 kW)
Engine max250 - 450 hp (186.5 - 335.7 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacity10.5 gal. (40 l)
Water capacity52 gal. (200 l)
Maximum capacity2,952 lbs. (1,342 kg)
Maximum capacity5,035 lbs. (2,284 kg)
Maximum people10
Maximum people25