The Falcon 450 2014 vs Falcon 520 2021 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Falcon 450 2014 at 14,7 ft versus Falcon 520 2021 at 16,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Falcon 520 2021 tips the scales at 717 lbs — 309 lbs less than the Falcon 450 2014 at 408 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 115 hp, the Falcon 520 2021 has a 45-hp advantage over the Falcon 450 2014's 70-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 Falcon 520 2021 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Falcon 450 2014 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Falcon 520 2021 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Falcon 450 2014 comes in at 6 lbs per hp versus 6 lbs per hp for the Falcon 520 2021. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Falcon 520 2021 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Falcon 450 2014 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.