When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Aqua Patio AP 220 DF 2012 and the Aqua Patio AP 240 RE3 I/O 2008 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Aqua Patio AP 220 DF 2012 at 23,1 ft versus Aqua Patio AP 240 RE3 I/O 2008 at 24,0 ft. At 307 lbs and 267 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 220 hp, the Aqua Patio AP 240 RE3 I/O 2008 has a 70-hp advantage over the Aqua Patio AP 220 DF 2012'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 AP 240 RE3 I/O 2008 carries 37 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Aqua Patio AP 220 DF 2012. 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 AP 240 RE3 I/O 2008 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Aqua Patio AP 220 DF 2012 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Aqua Patio AP 240 RE3 I/O 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Aqua Patio AP 240 RE3 I/O 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Aqua Patio AP 220 DF 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.