The Avalon Bow Fish 18 ft. 2009 vs Avalon Paradise - 20 Foot 2007 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 Bow Fish 18 ft. 2009 measures 18,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Avalon Paradise - 20 Foot 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Avalon Paradise - 20 Foot 2007 tips the scales at 187 lbs — 171 lbs less than the Avalon Bow Fish 18 ft. 2009 at 16 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 100 hp, the Avalon Paradise - 20 Foot 2007 has a 25-hp advantage over the Avalon Bow Fish 18 ft. 2009's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Avalon Paradise - 20 Foot 2007 carries 36 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Avalon Bow Fish 18 ft. 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 Avalon Paradise - 20 Foot 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Avalon Bow Fish 18 ft. 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Avalon Paradise - 20 Foot 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Avalon Bow Fish 18 ft. 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the Avalon Paradise - 20 Foot 2007. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Avalon Paradise - 20 Foot 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Avalon Bow Fish 18 ft. 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.