Matching a flat Marathon DN 1236 Jon 2011 against a modified vee Marathon Seneca 16RDS 2013 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 Marathon Seneca 16RDS 2013 measures 16,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Marathon DN 1236 Jon 2011 at 12,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Marathon Seneca 16RDS 2013 tips the scales at 318 lbs — 307 lbs less than the Marathon DN 1236 Jon 2011 at 11 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 Marathon Seneca 16RDS 2013 has a 33-hp advantage over the Marathon DN 1236 Jon 2011's 7-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 Marathon Seneca 16RDS 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Marathon DN 1236 Jon 2011 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Marathon Seneca 16RDS 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Marathon DN 1236 Jon 2011 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Marathon Seneca 16RDS 2013. 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.