When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Regal 2500 Bowrider 2011 and the Regal 3550 Cuddy 2012 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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 Regal 3550 Cuddy 2012 measures 34,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 8,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Regal 2500 Bowrider 2011 at 26,3 feet (2011). At 46 lbs and 114 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Regal 2500 Bowrider 2011 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Regal 3550 Cuddy 2012 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Regal 2500 Bowrider 2011 could be the deciding factor.