When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the G3 Boats Elite 26 DC 2009 and the G3 Boats LX 22 F/C 2012 are pontoon 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The G3 Boats Elite 26 DC 2009 measures 26,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the G3 Boats LX 22 F/C 2012 at 22,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the G3 Boats Elite 26 DC 2009 tips the scales at 336 lbs — 315 lbs more than the G3 Boats LX 22 F/C 2012 at 21 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 300 hp, the G3 Boats Elite 26 DC 2009 has a 185-hp advantage over the G3 Boats LX 22 F/C 2012's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 4 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The G3 Boats Elite 26 DC 2009 is rated for 15 passengers, while the G3 Boats LX 22 F/C 2012 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the G3 Boats Elite 26 DC 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the G3 Boats Elite 26 DC 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The G3 Boats LX 22 F/C 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.