When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Navigator Yachts Navigator 4600 2012 and the Navigator Yachts Navigator 5100 2012 are deep vee 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 Navigator Yachts Navigator 5100 2012 measures 51,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Navigator Yachts Navigator 4600 2012 at 47,5 feet (2012). At 4 lbs and 5 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 500 hp, the Navigator Yachts Navigator 5100 2012 has a 170-hp advantage over the Navigator Yachts Navigator 4600 2012's 330-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 5 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Navigator Yachts Navigator 5100 2012 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Navigator Yachts Navigator 4600 2012 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Navigator Yachts Navigator 5100 2012 could be the deciding factor.