When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Azimut Yachts 43 2008 and the Azimut Yachts 86S 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 Azimut Yachts 86S 2008 measures 86,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 44,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Azimut Yachts 43 2008 at 42,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Azimut Yachts 43 2008 tips the scales at 304 lbs — 180 lbs more than the Azimut Yachts 86S 2008 at 124 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 43 hp, the Azimut Yachts 43 2008 has a 41-hp advantage over the Azimut Yachts 86S 2008's 2-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Azimut Yachts 86S 2008 carries 1 902 gallons versus 291 gallons in the Azimut Yachts 43 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 Azimut Yachts 86S 2008 is rated for 26 passengers, while the Azimut Yachts 43 2008 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Azimut Yachts 86S 2008 could be the deciding factor.