When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the South Bay 524E TT 2013 and the South Bay 616C 2008 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 524E TT 2013 measures 25,6 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 9,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the South Bay 616C 2008 at 16,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the South Bay 616C 2008 tips the scales at 1 375 lbs — 1 346 lbs less than the South Bay 524E TT 2013 at 29 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 300 hp, the South Bay 524E TT 2013 has a 250-hp advantage over the South Bay 616C 2008's 50-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 524E TT 2013 is rated for 15 passengers, while the South Bay 616C 2008 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 524E TT 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the South Bay 524E TT 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 25,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The South Bay 616C 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.