When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the EdgeWater 188CX 2013 and the EdgeWater 318CC 2012 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The EdgeWater 318CC 2012 measures 31,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 13,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the EdgeWater 188CX 2013 at 18,7 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the EdgeWater 188CX 2013 tips the scales at 215 lbs — 150 lbs more than the EdgeWater 318CC 2012 at 65 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 700 hp, the EdgeWater 318CC 2012 has a 550-hp advantage over the EdgeWater 188CX 2013'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 — 4 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The EdgeWater 318CC 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the EdgeWater 188CX 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the EdgeWater 318CC 2012 could be the deciding factor.