Matching a flat Excel Boats 1851B86CC 2012 against a modified vee Excel Boats SE960 2011 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 1851B86CC 2012 at 18,0 ft versus Excel Boats SE960 2011 at 19,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Excel Boats SE960 2011 tips the scales at 112 lbs — 105 lbs less than the Excel Boats 1851B86CC 2012 at 7 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 150 hp, the Excel Boats SE960 2011 has a 143-hp advantage over the Excel Boats 1851B86CC 2012's 7-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 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Excel Boats 1851B86CC 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Excel Boats SE960 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Excel Boats SE960 2011 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 1851B86CC 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.