The Gillgetter 712 Cruise 2004 vs Gillgetter 718 Family Sport 2004 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Gillgetter 718 Family Sport 2004 measures 21,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Gillgetter 712 Cruise 2004 at 15,0 feet (2004). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Gillgetter 718 Family Sport 2004 tips the scales at 123 lbs — 115 lbs less than the Gillgetter 712 Cruise 2004 at 8 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Gillgetter 718 Family Sport 2004 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Gillgetter 712 Cruise 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Gillgetter 718 Family Sport 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Gillgetter 718 Family Sport 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Gillgetter 712 Cruise 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.