When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Nor-Tech 390 Sport Open 2012 and the Nor-Tech 80 Roadster 2012 are deep vee designs with composite 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 Nor-Tech 80 Roadster 2012 measures 76,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 37,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Nor-Tech 390 Sport Open 2012 at 38,5 feet (2012). At 105 lbs and 8 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nor-Tech 80 Roadster 2012 is rated for 23 passengers, while the Nor-Tech 390 Sport Open 2012 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nor-Tech 80 Roadster 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Nor-Tech 80 Roadster 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 23 passengers and at 76,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nor-Tech 390 Sport Open 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.