When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the G3 Boats Elite 326 DC 2012 and the G3 Boats LX 20 F/C 2009 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 326 DC 2012 measures 26,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 24,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the G3 Boats LX 20 F/C 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the G3 Boats Elite 326 DC 2012 tips the scales at 338 lbs — 336 lbs more than the G3 Boats LX 20 F/C 2009 at 2 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 326 DC 2012 has a 200-hp advantage over the G3 Boats LX 20 F/C 2009's 100-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the G3 Boats Elite 326 DC 2012 carries 38 gallons versus 3 gallons in the G3 Boats LX 20 F/C 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The G3 Boats Elite 326 DC 2012 is rated for 15 passengers, while the G3 Boats LX 20 F/C 2009 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the G3 Boats Elite 326 DC 2012 could be the deciding factor.