When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Charger 375 2011 and the Charger 396 2012 are modified vee designs with composite 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 — Charger 375 2011 at 19,3 ft versus Charger 396 2012 at 19,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Charger 375 2011 tips the scales at 155 lbs — 139 lbs more than the Charger 396 2012 at 16 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 225 hp, the Charger 396 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Charger 375 2011's 200-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Charger 396 2012 carries 44 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Charger 375 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 5 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.