Both the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2008 and the Misty Harbor 1680RE 2012 are pontoon designs, both built in aluminium, so 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 - Misty Harbor 1680EC 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Misty Harbor 1680RE 2012 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Misty Harbor 1680RE 2012 tips the scales at 1 200 lbs - 410 lbs less than the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2008 at 790 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 40 hp for the Misty Harbor 1680EC 2008 and 40 hp for the Misty Harbor 1680RE 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

Both boats are rated for 8 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 Misty Harbor 1680EC 2008 comes in at 20 lbs per hp versus 30 lbs per hp for the Misty Harbor 1680RE 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.

One place where both boats are genuinely identical is tube construction: both run 2 aluminum tubes at 23" diameter. That shared spec means stability and buoyancy characteristics are closely matched - the ride difference you'll feel between them comes primarily from deck length, weight distribution, and motor choice.