Both the Mainship 34 Trawler 2009 and the Mainship 34 Trawler Hardtop 2009 are semi-displacement designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 - Mainship 34 Trawler 2009 at 34,0 ft versus Mainship 34 Trawler Hardtop 2009 at 34,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Mainship 34 Trawler 2009 tips the scales at 20 000 lbs - 1 000 lbs more than the Mainship 34 Trawler Hardtop 2009 at 19 000 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 315 hp, the Mainship 34 Trawler 2009 has a 75-hp advantage over the Mainship 34 Trawler Hardtop 2009's 240-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 250 gal and 250 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 10 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.