When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Excel Boats 860CRSC 2012 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Excel Boats 860CRSC 2012 at 18,2 ft versus Excel Boats SE960 2012 at 19,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Excel Boats 860CRSC 2012 tips the scales at 975 lbs — 863 lbs more than the Excel Boats SE960 2012 at 112 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Excel Boats 860CRSC 2012 and 130 hp for the Excel Boats SE960 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

Both boats are rated for 5 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.