Matching a tunnel Palm Beach Fishing 185 2008 against a pontoon Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 240 DL 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 240 DL 2013 measures 24,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Palm Beach Fishing 185 2008 at 18,0 feet (2008). At 155 lbs and 219 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 140 hp for the Palm Beach Fishing 185 2008 and 150 hp for the Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 240 DL 2013. 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 Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 240 DL 2013 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Palm Beach Fishing 185 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 240 DL 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 240 DL 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Palm Beach Fishing 185 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.