When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Hewes Redfisher 16 2008 and the Hewes Redfisher 18 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Hewes Redfisher 16 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Hewes Redfisher 18 2009 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hewes Redfisher 16 2008 tips the scales at 1 575 lbs — 1 378 lbs more than the Hewes Redfisher 18 2009 at 197 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 150 hp, the Hewes Redfisher 18 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Hewes Redfisher 16 2008'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 — 3 gal and 4 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Hewes Redfisher 16 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Hewes Redfisher 18 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hewes Redfisher 16 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Hewes Redfisher 18 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the Hewes Redfisher 16 2008. 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.