When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Misty Harbor 2085FS 2013 and the Misty Harbor 2685GL 2012 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 2685GL 2012 measures 27,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 25,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Misty Harbor 2085FS 2013 at 2,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Misty Harbor 2685GL 2012 tips the scales at 2 325 lbs — 2 308 lbs less than the Misty Harbor 2085FS 2013 at 17 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 90 hp, the Misty Harbor 2085FS 2013 has a 75-hp advantage over the Misty Harbor 2685GL 2012's 15-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 2685GL 2012 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Misty Harbor 2085FS 2013 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Misty Harbor 2685GL 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Both are 2-tube and 2-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.
Bottom line: Choose the Misty Harbor 2685GL 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Misty Harbor 2085FS 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.