When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Eastern 31 2008 and the Eastern Eastern 248 Center Console 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass 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?

The Eastern 31 2008 carries a rated maximum of 380 hp. Engine data for the Eastern Eastern 248 Center Console 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Eastern 31 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Eastern Eastern 248 Center Console 2009 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Eastern 31 2008 could be the deciding factor.