Both the EdgeWater 145CC 2008 and the EdgeWater 388CC 2011 are deep-V designs, the first built in fibreglass and the second in composite, 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The EdgeWater 388CC 2011 measures 37,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 23,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the EdgeWater 145CC 2008 at 14,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the EdgeWater 388CC 2011 tips the scales at 9 600 lbs - 8 600 lbs less than the EdgeWater 145CC 2008 at 1 000 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 1 050 hp, the EdgeWater 388CC 2011 has a 990-hp advantage over the EdgeWater 145CC 2008's 60-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the EdgeWater 388CC 2011 carries 340 gallons versus 12 gallons in the EdgeWater 145CC 2008. 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 EdgeWater 388CC 2011 is rated for 11 passengers, while the EdgeWater 145CC 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the EdgeWater 388CC 2011 could be the deciding factor.