When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Encore Boat Builders 203 Fish 2012 and the Encore Boat Builders 220 Cruise 2012 are pontoon designs with aluminum 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 Encore Boat Builders 220 Cruise 2012 measures 22,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 20,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Encore Boat Builders 203 Fish 2012 at 2,0 feet (2012). At 167 lbs and 173 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Encore Boat Builders 203 Fish 2012 has a 35-hp advantage over the Encore Boat Builders 220 Cruise 2012's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 36 gal and 36 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Encore Boat Builders 220 Cruise 2012 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Encore Boat Builders 203 Fish 2012 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Encore Boat Builders 220 Cruise 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Both are 3-tube and 2-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.