Both the PlayCraft FX4 FishDeck 24 2012 and the PlayCraft Ultra Deck Cruiser 22 OB 2011 are planing 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 - PlayCraft FX4 FishDeck 24 2012 at 24,0 ft versus PlayCraft Ultra Deck Cruiser 22 OB 2011 at 22,0 ft. At 2 400 lbs and 2 450 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 - 225 hp for the PlayCraft FX4 FishDeck 24 2012 and 225 hp for the PlayCraft Ultra Deck Cruiser 22 OB 2011. 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 - 70 gal and 70 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The PlayCraft FX4 FishDeck 24 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the PlayCraft Ultra Deck Cruiser 22 OB 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the PlayCraft FX4 FishDeck 24 2012 could be the deciding factor.