When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Avon Adventure Series 2009 and the Avon SE 490 dl 2009 are inflatable rigid designs with inflatable 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 — Avon Adventure Series 2009 at 13,4 ft versus Avon SE 490 dl 2009 at 16,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Avon SE 490 dl 2009 tips the scales at 2 062 lbs — 1 623 lbs less than the Avon Adventure Series 2009 at 439 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 130 hp, the Avon SE 490 dl 2009 has a 80-hp advantage over the Avon Adventure Series 2009's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 7 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Avon Adventure Series 2009 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 16 lbs per hp for the Avon SE 490 dl 2009. 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.

Top speed is rated at 46 mph for the Avon SE 490 dl 2009 and 40 mph for the Avon Adventure Series 2009.