When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chris-Craft Catalina 29 2009 and the Chris-Craft Catalina 29 Sun Tender 2012 are deep 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 — Chris-Craft Catalina 29 2009 at 29,0 ft versus Chris-Craft Catalina 29 Sun Tender 2012 at 29,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Catalina 29 Sun Tender 2012 tips the scales at 782 lbs — 700 lbs less than the Chris-Craft Catalina 29 2009 at 82 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.

Both boats are rated for 8 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.