Both the Stamas 270 Tarpon 2009 and the Stamas 310 Tarpon 2011 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 Stamas 310 Tarpon 2011 measures 32,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Stamas 270 Tarpon 2009 at 28,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Stamas 310 Tarpon 2011 tips the scales at 9 700 lbs - 3 310 lbs less than the Stamas 270 Tarpon 2009 at 6 390 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Stamas 310 Tarpon 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Stamas 270 Tarpon 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stamas 310 Tarpon 2011 could be the deciding factor.