The Orkney 452 2019 vs Orkney 522 2019 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Orkney 522 2019 measures 17,1 feet overall (2019), giving it roughly 3,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Orkney 452 2019 at 14,1 feet (2019). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Orkney 522 2019 tips the scales at 1 200 lbs — 395 lbs less than the Orkney 452 2019 at 805 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 — 20 hp for the Orkney 452 2019 and 20 hp for the Orkney 522 2019. 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Orkney 522 2019 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Orkney 452 2019 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Orkney 522 2019 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Orkney 452 2019 comes in at 40 lbs per hp versus 60 lbs per hp for the Orkney 522 2019. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Top speed is rated at 22 knots for the Orkney 522 2019 and 22 knots for the Orkney 452 2019.