Matching a deep vee Eastern 22 Center Console 2008 against a modified vee Eastern 248 Explorer 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Eastern 22 Center Console 2008 at 22,0 ft versus Eastern 248 Explorer 2013 at 24,0 ft. At 16 lbs and 35 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 135 hp for the Eastern 22 Center Console 2008 and 150 hp for the Eastern 248 Explorer 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Eastern 22 Center Console 2008 carries 52 gallons versus 9 gallons in the Eastern 248 Explorer 2013. 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 Explorer 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Eastern 22 Center Console 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Eastern 248 Explorer 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Eastern 248 Explorer 2013 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 22 Center Console 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.