Both the EdgeWater 190IS 2012 and the EdgeWater 205EX 2009 are deep-V designs, the first built in composite and the second 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - EdgeWater 190IS 2012 at 19,5 ft versus EdgeWater 205EX 2009 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the EdgeWater 205EX 2009 tips the scales at 2 800 lbs - 800 lbs less than the EdgeWater 190IS 2012 at 2 000 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 225 hp, the EdgeWater 205EX 2009 has a 75-hp advantage over the EdgeWater 190IS 2012's 150-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 205EX 2009 carries 90 gallons versus 45 gallons in the EdgeWater 190IS 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 EdgeWater 205EX 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the EdgeWater 190IS 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the EdgeWater 205EX 2009 could be the deciding factor.