The Avalon 20 ft. Catalina 2012 vs Avalon LP Rear Fish - 24 Foot 2006 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Avalon LP Rear Fish - 24 Foot 2006 measures 24,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 22,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Avalon 20 ft. Catalina 2012 at 2,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Avalon LP Rear Fish - 24 Foot 2006 tips the scales at 1 976 lbs — 1 801 lbs less than the Avalon 20 ft. Catalina 2012 at 175 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 135 hp, the Avalon LP Rear Fish - 24 Foot 2006 has a 45-hp advantage over the Avalon 20 ft. Catalina 2012's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Avalon LP Rear Fish - 24 Foot 2006 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Avalon 20 ft. Catalina 2012 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Avalon LP Rear Fish - 24 Foot 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Avalon LP Rear Fish - 24 Foot 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Avalon 20 ft. Catalina 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.