Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 vs AB-Inflatables Nautilus 14 DLX 2019 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 vs AB-Inflatables Nautilus 14 DLX 2019 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The AB Inflatables 28 VST 2008 measures 28,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the AB-Inflatables Nautilus 14 DLX 2019 at 14,0 feet (2019). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB-Inflatables Nautilus 14 DLX 2019 tips the scales at 730 lbs — 444 lbs less 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 250-hp advantage over the AB-Inflatables Nautilus 14 DLX 2019's 50-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 15 gallons in the AB-Inflatables Nautilus 14 DLX 2019. 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 Nautilus 14 DLX 2019 caps at 4. 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 Nautilus 14 DLX 2019 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeAB Inflatables
Makenot available
Model28 VST
Modelnot available
Model Year2008
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 10 in. (3 m) Inside: 6 ft. 4 in. (1.92 m)
Beam3.10 ft
Beam - Meters3
Beam - Meters0.94
Beam - Inches118
Beam - Inches37
Weight - Detail2,860 lbs. (1,300 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1297.27
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.286
Weight - lbs.not available
Length [deck]22 ft. 11 in. (7 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet14
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail14.00 ft
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches168
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail1.90 ft
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.58
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches23
Displacementnot available
Displacement730.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typenot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter24 in. (0.61 m)
Tube diameternot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail132 gal. (500 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters499.67
Fuel tank capacity - Liters56.78
Fuel tank capacity - Gal132
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Drive typeoutboard
Engine max300 - 400 hp (223.8 - 298.4 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower50 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity52 gal. (200 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum capacity4,796 lbs. (2,180 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people25
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailerablenot available
TrailerableYes
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower