When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Maritime 1480 2010 and the Maritime 1890 2011 are modified vee designs with composite 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 Maritime 1890 2011 measures 18,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Maritime 1480 2010 at 14,5 feet (2010). At 78 lbs and 13 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Maritime 1890 2011 has a 65-hp advantage over the Maritime 1480 2010's 50-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 Maritime 1890 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Maritime 1480 2010 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Maritime 1890 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Maritime 1890 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Maritime 1480 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.