The River Hawk Eco Sport Series 2013 is a deep-V design and the River Hawk Pro V Series 2013 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - River Hawk Eco Sport Series 2013 at 17,0 ft versus River Hawk Pro V Series 2013 at 14,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the River Hawk Eco Sport Series 2013 tips the scales at 1 450 lbs - 970 lbs more than the River Hawk Pro V Series 2013 at 480 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 250 hp, the River Hawk Eco Sport Series 2013 has a 210-hp advantage over the River Hawk Pro V Series 2013's 40-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The River Hawk Eco Sport Series 2013 is rated for 5 passengers, while the River Hawk Pro V Series 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the River Hawk Eco Sport Series 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The River Hawk Eco Sport Series 2013 comes in at 6 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the River Hawk Pro V Series 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.