When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the AB Inflatables F 28 2009 and the AB Inflatables F 28 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 F 28 2009 at 28,0 ft versus AB Inflatables F 28 2012 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Inflatables F 28 2009 tips the scales at 4 647 lbs — 1 501 lbs more than the AB Inflatables F 28 2012 at 3 146 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 — 250 hp for the AB Inflatables F 28 2009 and 250 hp for the AB Inflatables F 28 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 132 gal and 132 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 25 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.