When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC 2011 and the Mercury 400 Amanzi Hypalon 2012 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC 2011 at 11,5 ft versus Mercury 400 Amanzi Hypalon 2012 at 13,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Mercury 400 Amanzi Hypalon 2012 tips the scales at 775 lbs — 582 lbs less than the Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC 2011 at 193 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 50 hp, the Mercury 400 Amanzi Hypalon 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC 2011's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC 2011 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 16 lbs per hp for the Mercury 400 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.