When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund 197 Pro-V GL 2008 and the Lund Crossover XS 2012 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 — Lund 197 Pro-V GL 2008 at 19,0 ft versus Lund Crossover XS 2012 at 18,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund Crossover XS 2012 tips the scales at 1 558 lbs — 1 537 lbs less than the Lund 197 Pro-V GL 2008 at 21 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 Lund Crossover XS 2012 tops out at 175 hp. Engine specs for the Lund 197 Pro-V GL 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lund Crossover XS 2012 carries 32 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Lund 197 Pro-V GL 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 Lund Crossover XS 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Lund 197 Pro-V GL 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund Crossover XS 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lund Crossover XS 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lund 197 Pro-V GL 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.