When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Excel Boats 1544V4 2013 and the Excel Boats SE960 2012 are modified vee 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 Excel Boats SE960 2012 measures 19,2 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Excel Boats 1544V4 2013 at 15,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Excel Boats SE960 2012 tips the scales at 112 lbs — 107 lbs less than the Excel Boats 1544V4 2013 at 5 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 130 hp, the Excel Boats SE960 2012 has a 105-hp advantage over the Excel Boats 1544V4 2013's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Excel Boats SE960 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Excel Boats 1544V4 2013 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Excel Boats SE960 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Excel Boats SE960 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 19,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Excel Boats 1544V4 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.