The Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2011 vs Blue Wave Multi-Species MS-5 2004 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 75 hp for the Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2011 and 80 hp for the Blue Wave Multi-Species MS-5 2004. 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 Blue Wave Multi-Species MS-5 2004 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2011 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 Multi-Species MS-5 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Blue Wave Multi-Species MS-5 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Blue Wave 160 V-Bay 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.