When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Livingston LV16 2012 and the Livingston LV9 2012 are catamaran designs with composite 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 Livingston LV16 2012 measures 15,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Livingston LV9 2012 at 9,0 feet (2012). At 11 lbs and 16 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 70 hp, the Livingston LV16 2012 has a 62-hp advantage over the Livingston LV9 2012's 8-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 Livingston LV16 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Livingston LV9 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Livingston LV16 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Livingston LV16 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the Livingston LV9 2012. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Livingston LV16 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 15,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Livingston LV9 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.