When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Reinell 185 LS 2012 and the Reinell 226 SF 2011 are modified 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 Reinell 226 SF 2011 measures 21,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Reinell 185 LS 2012 at 18,4 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Reinell 226 SF 2011 tips the scales at 365 lbs — 150 lbs less than the Reinell 185 LS 2012 at 215 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 320 hp, the Reinell 226 SF 2011 has a 95-hp advantage over the Reinell 185 LS 2012's 225-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Reinell 185 LS 2012 carries 25 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Reinell 226 SF 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Reinell 226 SF 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Reinell 185 LS 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Reinell 226 SF 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Reinell 226 SF 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Reinell 185 LS 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.