The AB Yachts 116 2012 vs AB Yachts 787 2024 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 35,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the AB Yachts 787 2024 at 81,8 feet (2024). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Yachts 116 2012 tips the scales at 198 416 lbs — 22 047 lbs more than the AB Yachts 787 2024 at 176 369 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 2 600 hp, the AB Yachts 116 2012 has a 600-hp advantage over the AB Yachts 787 2024's 2 000-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 Yachts 116 2012 carries 4 006 gallons versus 2 483 gallons in the AB Yachts 787 2024. 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 787 2024 caps at 24. 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 787 2024 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 24 that costs less to run day-to-day.