When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Spectre 38 Crossover 2011 and the Spectre SC36 2012 are catamaran designs with fiberglass 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 Spectre SC36 2012 tops out at 430 hp. Engine specs for the Spectre 38 Crossover 2011 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Spectre SC36 2012 carries 174 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Spectre 38 Crossover 2011. 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 Spectre 38 Crossover 2011 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Spectre SC36 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Spectre 38 Crossover 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Spectre 38 Crossover 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 38,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Spectre SC36 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.