When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lake and Bay Back Water 22 ft. 2009 and the Lake and Bay Predator 17 ft. 6 in. 2007 are flat 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?

The Lake and Bay Back Water 22 ft. 2009 carries a rated maximum of 225 hp. Engine data for the Lake and Bay Predator 17 ft. 6 in. 2007 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lake and Bay Back Water 22 ft. 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lake and Bay Predator 17 ft. 6 in. 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lake and Bay Back Water 22 ft. 2009 could be the deciding factor.