When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Berkshire Pontoons CTS 172A 2013 and the Berkshire Pontoons STS 230CL 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 STS 230CL 2013 measures 23,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Berkshire Pontoons CTS 172A 2013 at 17,7 feet (2013). At 139 lbs and 223 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Berkshire Pontoons STS 230CL 2013 has a 90-hp advantage over the Berkshire Pontoons CTS 172A 2013's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Berkshire Pontoons STS 230CL 2013 is rated for 12 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 STS 230CL 2013 could be the deciding factor.
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.
Bottom line: Choose the Berkshire Pontoons STS 230CL 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Berkshire Pontoons CTS 172A 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.