When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the South Bay 422F - 25 in. Upgrade 2011 and the South Bay 724SL 2013 are pontoon designs with aluminum 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?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the South Bay 724SL 2013 has a 60-hp advantage over the South Bay 422F - 25 in. Upgrade 2011's 90-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 South Bay 724SL 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the South Bay 422F - 25 in. Upgrade 2011 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the South Bay 724SL 2013 could be the deciding factor.