When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Nautica RIB 20 Catamaran 2011 and the Nautica XP 12 Jet 2011 are inflatable rigid designs with fiberglass 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 Nautica RIB 20 Catamaran 2011 measures 19,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 7,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Nautica XP 12 Jet 2011 at 11,8 feet (2011). At 105 lbs and 72 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 143 hp, the Nautica XP 12 Jet 2011 has a 28-hp advantage over the Nautica RIB 20 Catamaran 2011's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Nautica RIB 20 Catamaran 2011 carries 48 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Nautica XP 12 Jet 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nautica RIB 20 Catamaran 2011 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Nautica XP 12 Jet 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nautica RIB 20 Catamaran 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Nautica RIB 20 Catamaran 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 19,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nautica XP 12 Jet 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.