When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Avalon Somerset 22 ft. 2009 and the Avalon Windjammer Sandbar 2011 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Avalon Windjammer Sandbar 2011 measures 26,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Avalon Somerset 22 ft. 2009 at 22,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Avalon Windjammer Sandbar 2011 tips the scales at 3 125 lbs — 2 920 lbs less than the Avalon Somerset 22 ft. 2009 at 205 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 Avalon Windjammer Sandbar 2011 has a 175-hp advantage over the Avalon Somerset 22 ft. 2009's 125-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 Windjammer Sandbar 2011 carries 42 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Avalon Somerset 22 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 Windjammer Sandbar 2011 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Avalon Somerset 22 ft. 2009 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Avalon Windjammer Sandbar 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Both are 2-tube and 3-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.