When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the South Bay 516C 2010 and the South Bay 520CR 2012 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The South Bay 520CR 2012 measures 21,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the South Bay 516C 2010 at 16,3 feet (2010). At 124 lbs and 173 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 115 hp, the South Bay 520CR 2012 has a 55-hp advantage over the South Bay 516C 2010's 60-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 520CR 2012 is rated for 11 passengers, while the South Bay 516C 2010 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the South Bay 520CR 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Both are 2-tube and 2-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.
Bottom line: Choose the South Bay 520CR 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 21,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The South Bay 516C 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.