When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Misty Harbor 2080RE 2012 and the Misty Harbor Explorer 1680EC 2010 are pontoon designs with aluminum 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 Misty Harbor Explorer 1680EC 2010 measures 16,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Misty Harbor 2080RE 2012 at 2,0 feet (2012). At 15 lbs and 79 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 40 hp, the Misty Harbor Explorer 1680EC 2010 has a 31-hp advantage over the Misty Harbor 2080RE 2012's 9-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 Misty Harbor 2080RE 2012 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Misty Harbor Explorer 1680EC 2010 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Misty Harbor 2080RE 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Misty Harbor 2080RE 2012 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the Misty Harbor Explorer 1680EC 2010. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Misty Harbor 2080RE 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Misty Harbor Explorer 1680EC 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.