Both the NorthCoast 20 ft. Center Console 2012 and the NorthCoast 21 ft. Hard Top 2012 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - NorthCoast 20 ft. Center Console 2012 at 20,0 ft versus NorthCoast 21 ft. Hard Top 2012 at 21,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the NorthCoast 21 ft. Hard Top 2012 tips the scales at 3 200 lbs - 400 lbs less than the NorthCoast 20 ft. Center Console 2012 at 2 800 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 175 hp for the NorthCoast 20 ft. Center Console 2012 and 175 hp for the NorthCoast 21 ft. Hard Top 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 82 gal and 82 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.