Matching a tri-hull SouthWind 201 L 2012 against a modified vee SouthWind 229 FX 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 — SouthWind 201 L 2012 at 20,1 ft versus SouthWind 229 FX 2013 at 22,8 ft. At 44 lbs and 47 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the SouthWind 201 L 2012 and 115 hp for the SouthWind 229 FX 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 5 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The SouthWind 229 FX 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the SouthWind 201 L 2012 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the SouthWind 229 FX 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the SouthWind 229 FX 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The SouthWind 201 L 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.