Matching a modified vee Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2008 against a tunnel Blue Wave 2200 STL 2011 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 Blue Wave 2200 STL 2011 measures 22,2 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2008 at 16,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2008 tips the scales at 795 lbs — 640 lbs more than the Blue Wave 2200 STL 2011 at 155 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 200 hp, the Blue Wave 2200 STL 2011 has a 125-hp advantage over the Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2008's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2008 carries 18 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Blue Wave 2200 STL 2011. 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 Blue Wave 2200 STL 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Blue Wave 2200 STL 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Blue Wave 2200 STL 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 22,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.