Both the EdgeWater 205EX 2008 and the EdgeWater 228CCD 2013 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - EdgeWater 205EX 2008 at 20,0 ft versus EdgeWater 228CCD 2013 at 22,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the EdgeWater 228CCD 2013 tips the scales at 4 400 lbs - 1 600 lbs less than the EdgeWater 205EX 2008 at 2 800 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 250 hp, the EdgeWater 228CCD 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the EdgeWater 205EX 2008's 200-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 2008 carries 90 gallons versus 72 gallons in the EdgeWater 228CCD 2013. 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 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the EdgeWater 228CCD 2013 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the EdgeWater 205EX 2008 could be the deciding factor.