Both the Marathon DN 1036 Jon 2011 and the Marathon Otisco 1236 2009 are flat-bottom designs, both built in aluminium, 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 - Marathon DN 1036 Jon 2011 at 10,0 ft versus Marathon Otisco 1236 2009 at 12,0 ft. At 96 lbs and 110 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class - either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The Marathon DN 1036 Jon 2011 carries a rated maximum of 3 hp. Engine data for the Marathon Otisco 1236 2009 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Marathon Otisco 1236 2009 is rated for 3 passengers, while the Marathon DN 1036 Jon 2011 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Marathon Otisco 1236 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Marathon Otisco 1236 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 3 passengers and at 12,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Marathon DN 1036 Jon 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.