When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Mercury 350 Amanzi Hypalon 2012 and the Mercury V-520/570 Series 2009 are inflatable rigid designs with plastic 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 Mercury V-520/570 Series 2009 measures 17,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 5,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Mercury 350 Amanzi Hypalon 2012 at 11,5 feet (2012). At 675 lbs and 578 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 100 hp, the Mercury V-520/570 Series 2009 has a 60-hp advantage over the Mercury 350 Amanzi Hypalon 2012's 40-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-520/570 Series 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Mercury 350 Amanzi Hypalon 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mercury V-520/570 Series 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Mercury V-520/570 Series 2009 comes in at 6 lbs per hp versus 17 lbs per hp for the Mercury 350 Amanzi Hypalon 2012. 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.