Matching a modified vee Explorer Coastal Vee 2012 against a flat Explorer Flatsmaster 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Explorer Coastal Vee 2012 measures 18,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Explorer Flatsmaster 2011 at 13,5 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Explorer Coastal Vee 2012 tips the scales at 125 lbs — 118 lbs more than the Explorer Flatsmaster 2011 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 140 hp, the Explorer Coastal Vee 2012 has a 80-hp advantage over the Explorer Flatsmaster 2011's 60-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 Explorer Coastal Vee 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Explorer Flatsmaster 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Explorer Coastal Vee 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Explorer Flatsmaster 2011 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Explorer Coastal Vee 2012. 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.