When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund A 12 2012 and the Lund SSV 16 Tiller 2007 are modified vee designs with aluminum 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 Lund SSV 16 Tiller 2007 measures 16,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 3,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lund A 12 2012 at 12,1 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund A 12 2012 tips the scales at 164 lbs — 129 lbs more than the Lund SSV 16 Tiller 2007 at 35 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 40 hp, the Lund SSV 16 Tiller 2007 has a 30-hp advantage over the Lund A 12 2012's 10-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 Lund SSV 16 Tiller 2007 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Lund A 12 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund SSV 16 Tiller 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lund SSV 16 Tiller 2007 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 16 lbs per hp for the Lund A 12 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 Lund SSV 16 Tiller 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lund A 12 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.