Matching a flat Excel Boats 1851B86 2013 against a modified vee Excel Boats EX754 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Excel Boats 1851B86 2013 at 18,0 ft versus Excel Boats EX754 2012 at 17,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Excel Boats EX754 2012 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 170 lbs less than the Excel Boats 1851B86 2013 at 725 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 90 hp, the Excel Boats EX754 2012 has a 83-hp advantage over the Excel Boats 1851B86 2013's 7-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 4 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.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Excel Boats EX754 2012 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 104 lbs per hp for the Excel Boats 1851B86 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.