Both the Rampage 34 IPS 2011 and the Rampage 45 Convertible 2009 are deep-V 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Rampage 45 Convertible 2009 measures 45,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 12,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Rampage 34 IPS 2011 at 33,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Rampage 45 Convertible 2009 tips the scales at 36 000 lbs - 16 800 lbs less than the Rampage 34 IPS 2011 at 19 200 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Rampage 45 Convertible 2009 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Rampage 34 IPS 2011 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rampage 45 Convertible 2009 could be the deciding factor.