Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Mako Boats 2101 Tunnel Inshore 2007 vs Mako Boats 284 Express 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Mako Boats 2101 Tunnel Inshore 2007 against a deep vee Mako Boats 284 Express 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Mako Boats 284 Express 2009 measures 28,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Mako Boats 2101 Tunnel Inshore 2007 at 21,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Mako Boats 2101 Tunnel Inshore 2007 tips the scales at 179 lbs — 172 lbs more than the Mako Boats 284 Express 2009 at 7 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 300 hp, the Mako Boats 284 Express 2009 has a 75-hp advantage over the Mako Boats 2101 Tunnel Inshore 2007's 225-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Mako Boats 284 Express 2009 carries 194 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Mako Boats 2101 Tunnel Inshore 2007. 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 Mako Boats 284 Express 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Mako Boats 2101 Tunnel Inshore 2007 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mako Boats 284 Express 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Mako Boats 284 Express 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mako Boats 2101 Tunnel Inshore 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMako Boats
MakeMako Boats
Model2101 Tunnel Inshore
Model284 Express
Model Year2007
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.36
Beam - Meters3
Beam - Inches93
Beam - Inches118
Weight - Detail1,790 lbs
Weight - Detail7,000 lbs
Weight - kg811.93
Weight - kg3175.14
Weight - lbs.179
Weight - lbs.7
Height [transom]25 in
Height [transom]30 in. at center line
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet28
Length - Inches5
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters6.53
Length overall - Meters8.64
Length overall - Inches257
Length overall - Inches34
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise21°
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail23 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.58
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches23
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMercury 150 L OptiMax?
Engine/s standardTWIN 200 XL OptiMax®
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail194 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters734.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal194
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine max225 hp
Engine max300 hp each (Twin)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,950 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people8 @ 1,200 lbs
Maximum people12 / 3,321 lbs
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity4
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity13 gal
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailCustom tandem-axle
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 0 in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Weight3,300 lbs. (with boat)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width101 in
Trailer - Widthnot available