When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Alumaweld Blackhawk 2008 and the Alumaweld Stryker Inboard 2013 are modified vee designs with aluminum 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Alumaweld Stryker Inboard 2013 measures 20,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 18,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Alumaweld Blackhawk 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumaweld Stryker Inboard 2013 tips the scales at 1 665 lbs — 1 523 lbs less than the Alumaweld Blackhawk 2008 at 142 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 200 hp, the Alumaweld Stryker Inboard 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Alumaweld Blackhawk 2008's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 38 gal and 38 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumaweld Blackhawk 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumaweld Stryker Inboard 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumaweld Blackhawk 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumaweld Blackhawk 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumaweld Stryker Inboard 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.