Both the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 and the Eastern 35 2011 are deep-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?

The Eastern 35 2011 tops out at 330 hp. Engine specs for the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Eastern 35 2011 carries 100 gallons versus 90 gallons in the Eastern 248 Islander 2012. 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 35 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Eastern 35 2011 could be the deciding factor.