Matching a inflatable non rigid Mercury 340 Sport PVC 2012 against a inflatable rigid Mercury V-570 2011 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 Mercury V-570 2011 measures 18,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 7,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Mercury 340 Sport PVC 2012 at 10,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Mercury V-570 2011 tips the scales at 818 lbs — 694 lbs less than the Mercury 340 Sport PVC 2012 at 124 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 135 hp, the Mercury V-570 2011 has a 115-hp advantage over the Mercury 340 Sport PVC 2012's 20-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 Mercury V-570 2011 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Mercury 340 Sport PVC 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mercury V-570 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Mercury V-570 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 18,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mercury 340 Sport PVC 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.