When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Reinell 204 FNS 2009 and the Reinell 240 LS 2012 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 240 LS 2012 measures 24,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Reinell 204 FNS 2009 at 20,3 feet (2009). At 265 lbs and 358 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Reinell 240 LS 2012 has a 105-hp advantage over the Reinell 204 FNS 2009's 320-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 4 gal and 4 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Reinell 204 FNS 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Reinell 240 LS 2012 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Reinell 204 FNS 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Reinell 204 FNS 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 20,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Reinell 240 LS 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.