When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Berkshire Pontoons 261 E BP3 Premium 2012 and the Berkshire Pontoons STS 190CL - B 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?
The Berkshire Pontoons 261 E BP3 Premium 2012 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Berkshire Pontoons STS 190CL - B 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Berkshire Pontoons 261 E BP3 Premium 2012 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Berkshire Pontoons STS 190CL - B 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Berkshire Pontoons 261 E BP3 Premium 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Both are 3-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.
Bottom line: Choose the Berkshire Pontoons 261 E BP3 Premium 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 26,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Berkshire Pontoons STS 190CL - B 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.