Both the Cruisers Yachts 520 Express 2008 and the Cruisers Yachts 560 Express 2011 are semi-displacement designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Cruisers Yachts 560 Express 2011 measures 58,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Cruisers Yachts 520 Express 2008 at 52,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cruisers Yachts 560 Express 2011 tips the scales at 46 000 lbs - 4 000 lbs less than the Cruisers Yachts 520 Express 2008 at 42 000 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 Cruisers Yachts 520 Express 2008 carries a rated maximum of 715 hp. Engine data for the Cruisers Yachts 560 Express 2011 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cruisers Yachts 560 Express 2011 carries 650 gallons versus 500 gallons in the Cruisers Yachts 520 Express 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.