The Albemarle 246 1987 vs Albemarle 288 OBXF 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 290 hp for the Albemarle 246 1987 and 300 hp for the Albemarle 288 OBXF 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 Albemarle 288 OBXF 2012 carries 228 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Albemarle 246 1987. 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 Albemarle 288 OBXF 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Albemarle 246 1987 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Albemarle 288 OBXF 2012 could be the deciding factor.