Matching a modified vee Baha Cruisers 240 WAC I/O 2009 against a deep vee Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 measures 29,5 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 5,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Baha Cruisers 240 WAC I/O 2009 at 24,0 feet (2009). At 35 lbs and 85 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 220 hp for the Baha Cruisers 240 WAC I/O 2009 and 225 hp for the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Baha Cruisers 240 WAC I/O 2009 carries 94 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010. 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 Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Baha Cruisers 240 WAC I/O 2009 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 29,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Baha Cruisers 240 WAC I/O 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.