When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Boston Whaler 110 Tender 2008 and the Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Boston Whaler 110 Tender 2008 at 11,0 ft versus Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport 2009 at 13,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Boston Whaler 110 Tender 2008 tips the scales at 424 lbs — 360 lbs more than the Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport 2009 at 64 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 235 hp, the Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport 2009 has a 220-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 110 Tender 2008's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport 2009 carries 7 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Boston Whaler 110 Tender 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 4 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 28 lbs per hp for the Boston Whaler 110 Tender 2008. 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.