When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the South Bay 620C 2008 and the South Bay 620CR 2009 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — South Bay 620C 2008 at 2,0 ft versus South Bay 620CR 2009 at 2,0 ft. At 195 lbs and 195 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 620CR 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the South Bay 620C 2008's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the South Bay 620CR 2009 carries 29 gallons versus 18 gallons in the South Bay 620C 2008. 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 South Bay 620C 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the South Bay 620CR 2009 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the South Bay 620C 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The South Bay 620CR 2009 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the South Bay 620C 2008. 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.
One place where both boats are genuinely identical is tube construction: both run 2 aluminum tubes at 25" diameter. That shared spec means stability and buoyancy characteristics are closely matched — the ride difference you'll feel between them comes primarily from deck length, weight distribution, and motor choice.
Bottom line: Choose the South Bay 620C 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The South Bay 620CR 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.