The Phoenix Boats 27 Weekender / FishSlayer 1981 vs Phoenix Boats 721 ProXP 2022 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 500 hp, the Phoenix Boats 27 Weekender / FishSlayer 1981 has a 250-hp advantage over the Phoenix Boats 721 ProXP 2022's 250-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 2 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Phoenix Boats 27 Weekender / FishSlayer 1981 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Phoenix Boats 721 ProXP 2022 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Phoenix Boats 27 Weekender / FishSlayer 1981 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Phoenix Boats 27 Weekender / FishSlayer 1981 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Phoenix Boats 721 ProXP 2022 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.