When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Kenner 180 VX ST 2008 and the Kenner 24 VX 2008 are deep 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Kenner 24 VX 2008 measures 24,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Kenner 180 VX ST 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Kenner 24 VX 2008 tips the scales at 235 lbs — 136 lbs less than the Kenner 180 VX ST 2008 at 99 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 275 hp, the Kenner 24 VX 2008 has a 185-hp advantage over the Kenner 180 VX ST 2008's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Kenner 24 VX 2008 carries 96 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Kenner 180 VX ST 2008. 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 Kenner 24 VX 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Kenner 180 VX ST 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Kenner 24 VX 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Kenner 24 VX 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Kenner 180 VX ST 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.