The AB Yachts 100 2017 vs AB Yachts 116 2012 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 Yachts 116 2012 measures 116,9 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the AB Yachts 100 2017 at 100,9 feet (2017). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Yachts 100 2017 tips the scales at 202 825 lbs — 4 409 lbs more than the AB Yachts 116 2012 at 198 416 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 — 2 600 hp for the AB Yachts 100 2017 and 2 600 hp for the AB Yachts 116 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the AB Yachts 116 2012 carries 4 006 gallons versus 3 038 gallons in the AB Yachts 100 2017. 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 Yachts 116 2012 is rated for 35 passengers, while the AB Yachts 100 2017 caps at 30. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the AB Yachts 116 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the AB Yachts 116 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 35 passengers and at 116,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The AB Yachts 100 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 30 that costs less to run day-to-day.