When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Arima Sea Explorer 16 2008 and the Arima Sea Legend 22 Hardtop Bulkhead 2008 are modified vee designs with fiberglass 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 Arima Sea Legend 22 Hardtop Bulkhead 2008 measures 21,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Arima Sea Explorer 16 2008 at 15,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Arima Sea Legend 22 Hardtop Bulkhead 2008 tips the scales at 285 lbs — 274 lbs less than the Arima Sea Explorer 16 2008 at 11 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 300 hp, the Arima Sea Legend 22 Hardtop Bulkhead 2008 has a 200-hp advantage over the Arima Sea Explorer 16 2008's 100-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Arima Sea Legend 22 Hardtop Bulkhead 2008 carries 106 gallons versus 27 gallons in the Arima Sea Explorer 16 2008. 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 Arima Sea Explorer 16 2008 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Arima Sea Legend 22 Hardtop Bulkhead 2008 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Arima Sea Explorer 16 2008 could be the deciding factor.