Both the EdgeWater 245CC 2008 and the EdgeWater 265EX 2012 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 245CC 2008 at 24,0 ft versus EdgeWater 265EX 2012 at 26,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the EdgeWater 265EX 2012 tips the scales at 5 400 lbs - 2 000 lbs less than the EdgeWater 245CC 2008 at 3 400 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 500 hp, the EdgeWater 265EX 2012 has a 150-hp advantage over the EdgeWater 245CC 2008's 350-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 265EX 2012 carries 200 gallons versus 150 gallons in the EdgeWater 245CC 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 265EX 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the EdgeWater 245CC 2008 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the EdgeWater 265EX 2012 could be the deciding factor.