When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the EdgeWater 228CC 2008 and the EdgeWater 245CX 2013 are deep 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — EdgeWater 228CC 2008 at 22,0 ft versus EdgeWater 245CX 2013 at 24,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the EdgeWater 245CX 2013 tips the scales at 355 lbs — 352 lbs less than the EdgeWater 228CC 2008 at 3 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 350 hp, the EdgeWater 245CX 2013 has a 100-hp advantage over the EdgeWater 228CC 2008's 250-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 228CC 2008 carries 125 gallons versus 13 gallons in the EdgeWater 245CX 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 11 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.