The Pro-Line 26 Express 2009 vs Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 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 Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 measures 32,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Pro-Line 26 Express 2009 at 26,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Pro-Line 26 Express 2009 tips the scales at 5 161 lbs — 5 154 lbs more than the Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 at 7 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 600 hp, the Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 has a 150-hp advantage over the Pro-Line 26 Express 2009's 450-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 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Pro-Line 26 Express 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Pro-Line 26 Express 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.