When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Achilles RV-156 2011 and the Achilles SG-156 2012 are inflatable non rigid designs with inflatable 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 — Achilles RV-156 2011 at 15,5 ft versus Achilles SG-156 2012 at 15,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Achilles SG-156 2012 tips the scales at 272 lbs — 107 lbs less than the Achilles RV-156 2011 at 165 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 Achilles SG-156 2012 tops out at 55 hp. Engine specs for the Achilles RV-156 2011 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Achilles RV-156 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Achilles SG-156 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Achilles RV-156 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Both are inflatable designs, which means they pack down for compact storage, can be carried in a bag, and are dramatically lighter than equivalent rigid hulls. The trade-off is setup time and the need to monitor tube pressure regularly. Tube diameter differs: 22 in. (56 cm) on the Achilles RV-156 2011 vs 20 in. (50 cm) on the Achilles SG-156 2012 — larger tubes generally mean more buoyancy and a drier, more stable ride.