When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Reinell 205 LS 2011 and the Reinell 242 SS 2009 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 242 SS 2009 measures 24,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 3,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Reinell 205 LS 2011 at 20,4 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Reinell 242 SS 2009 tips the scales at 356 lbs — 330 lbs less than the Reinell 205 LS 2011 at 26 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 425 hp, the Reinell 242 SS 2009 has a 105-hp advantage over the Reinell 205 LS 2011's 320-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 242 SS 2009 carries 75 gallons versus 31 gallons in the Reinell 205 LS 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 205 LS 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Reinell 242 SS 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Reinell 205 LS 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Reinell 205 LS 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 20,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Reinell 242 SS 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.