When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Gillgetter 613 Family Cruise 2010 and the Gillgetter 718 Fishmaster II 2008 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 Gillgetter 718 Fishmaster II 2008 measures 18,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Gillgetter 613 Family Cruise 2010 at 13,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Gillgetter 718 Fishmaster II 2008 tips the scales at 1 275 lbs — 680 lbs less than the Gillgetter 613 Family Cruise 2010 at 595 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 60 hp, the Gillgetter 718 Fishmaster II 2008 has a 45-hp advantage over the Gillgetter 613 Family Cruise 2010's 15-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 Gillgetter 718 Fishmaster II 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Gillgetter 613 Family Cruise 2010 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Gillgetter 718 Fishmaster II 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Gillgetter 718 Fishmaster II 2008 comes in at 21 lbs per hp versus 40 lbs per hp for the Gillgetter 613 Family Cruise 2010. 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.
Both are 2-tube and 2-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.
Bottom line: Choose the Gillgetter 718 Fishmaster II 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Gillgetter 613 Family Cruise 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.