The Orkney Fastliner 19 2017 vs Orkney Longliner 16 2017 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 Fastliner 19 2017 measures 19,5 feet overall (2017), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Orkney Longliner 16 2017 at 16,0 feet (2017). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Orkney Fastliner 19 2017 tips the scales at 1 500 lbs — 900 lbs more than the Orkney Longliner 16 2017 at 600 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 — 30 hp for the Orkney Fastliner 19 2017 and 25 hp for the Orkney Longliner 16 2017. 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 Fastliner 19 2017 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Orkney Longliner 16 2017 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Orkney Fastliner 19 2017 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Orkney Fastliner 19 2017 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 19,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Orkney Longliner 16 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.