The Qwest 715 RE Fish 2007 vs Qwest 7518 Cruise Deluxe 2011 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 7518 Cruise Deluxe 2011 measures 18,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Qwest 715 RE Fish 2007 at 15,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Qwest 7518 Cruise Deluxe 2011 tips the scales at 1 325 lbs — 200 lbs less than the Qwest 715 RE Fish 2007 at 1 125 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 40 hp, the Qwest 715 RE Fish 2007 has a 34-hp advantage over the Qwest 7518 Cruise Deluxe 2011's 6-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 7518 Cruise Deluxe 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Qwest 715 RE Fish 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 7518 Cruise Deluxe 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Qwest 7518 Cruise Deluxe 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Qwest 715 RE Fish 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.