Both the Eastern 18 2011 and the Eastern 248 Tournament 2012 are modified-V 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 Eastern 248 Tournament 2012 measures 24,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Eastern 18 2011 at 18,3 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Eastern 248 Tournament 2012 tips the scales at 3 625 lbs - 2 400 lbs less than the Eastern 18 2011 at 1 225 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 150 hp, the Eastern 248 Tournament 2012 has a 100-hp advantage over the Eastern 18 2011's 50-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Eastern 248 Tournament 2012 carries 90 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Eastern 18 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Eastern 248 Tournament 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Eastern 18 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Eastern 248 Tournament 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Eastern 248 Tournament 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Eastern 18 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.