When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Berkshire Pontoons 202A 2009 and the Berkshire Pontoons CTS 172A 2013 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 Berkshire Pontoons CTS 172A 2013 measures 17,7 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 15,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Berkshire Pontoons 202A 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). At 183 lbs and 139 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 — 75 hp for the Berkshire Pontoons 202A 2009 and 60 hp for the Berkshire Pontoons CTS 172A 2013. 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Berkshire Pontoons 202A 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Berkshire Pontoons CTS 172A 2013 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Berkshire Pontoons 202A 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Berkshire Pontoons CTS 172A 2013 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the Berkshire Pontoons 202A 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.

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