When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Eastern 22 Center Console 2008 and the Eastern Eastern 22 (Lobster) 2009 are deep 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 — Eastern 22 Center Console 2008 at 22,0 ft versus Eastern Eastern 22 (Lobster) 2009 at 22,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Eastern Eastern 22 (Lobster) 2009 tips the scales at 255 lbs — 239 lbs less than the Eastern 22 Center Console 2008 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 Eastern 22 Center Console 2008 carries a rated maximum of 135 hp. Engine data for the Eastern Eastern 22 (Lobster) 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 52 gal and 52 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 6 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.