When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Montego Bay Pontoons C8516 Cruise DLX 2013 and the Montego Bay Pontoons F8520 PT BK 2013 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 Montego Bay Pontoons F8520 PT BK 2013 measures 21,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Montego Bay Pontoons C8516 Cruise DLX 2013 at 17,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Montego Bay Pontoons F8520 PT BK 2013 tips the scales at 1 757 lbs — 432 lbs less than the Montego Bay Pontoons C8516 Cruise DLX 2013 at 1 325 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 Montego Bay Pontoons F8520 PT BK 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Montego Bay Pontoons C8516 Cruise DLX 2013'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 Montego Bay Pontoons C8516 Cruise DLX 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Montego Bay Pontoons F8520 PT BK 2013 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Montego Bay Pontoons C8516 Cruise DLX 2013 could be the deciding factor.