When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Livingston LV8 2012 and the Livingston Model 19 2011 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 Model 19 2011 measures 18,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 10,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Livingston LV8 2012 at 7,7 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Livingston LV8 2012 tips the scales at 135 lbs — 119 lbs more than the Livingston Model 19 2011 at 16 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 115 hp, the Livingston Model 19 2011 has a 110-hp advantage over the Livingston LV8 2012's 5-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 Model 19 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Livingston LV8 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 Model 19 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Livingston Model 19 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Livingston LV8 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.