The Qwest 715 RE Cruise 2007 vs Qwest 820 VX Cruise 2012 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 Qwest 820 VX Cruise 2012 measures 20,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Qwest 715 RE Cruise 2007 at 15,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Qwest 715 RE Cruise 2007 tips the scales at 1 125 lbs — 980 lbs more than the Qwest 820 VX Cruise 2012 at 145 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 75 hp, the Qwest 820 VX Cruise 2012 has a 35-hp advantage over the Qwest 715 RE Cruise 2007's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Qwest 820 VX Cruise 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Qwest 715 RE Cruise 2007 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Qwest 820 VX Cruise 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Qwest 820 VX Cruise 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 20,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Qwest 715 RE Cruise 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.