Matching a modified vee Eastern 248 Explorer 2011 against a deep vee Eastern 27 Tournament 2012 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 248 Explorer 2011 at 24,0 ft versus Eastern 27 Tournament 2012 at 26,3 ft. At 35 lbs and 49 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Eastern 27 Tournament 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the Eastern 248 Explorer 2011's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 9 gal and 11 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Eastern 27 Tournament 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Eastern 248 Explorer 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Eastern 27 Tournament 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Eastern 27 Tournament 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 26,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Eastern 248 Explorer 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.