When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Aqua Patio 250 XP 2013 and the Aqua Patio AP 220 DC 2009 are pontoon 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?
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Aqua Patio 250 XP 2013 has a 150-hp advantage over the Aqua Patio AP 220 DC 2009's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Aqua Patio 250 XP 2013 carries 46 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Aqua Patio AP 220 DC 2009. 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 Aqua Patio 250 XP 2013 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Aqua Patio AP 220 DC 2009 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Aqua Patio 250 XP 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Aqua Patio 250 XP 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 26,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Aqua Patio AP 220 DC 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.