The Stamas 290 Express Outboard 2006 is a modified-V design and the Stamas 317 Aegean Outboard 2012 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 - Stamas 290 Express Outboard 2006 at 31,0 ft versus Stamas 317 Aegean Outboard 2012 at 31,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Stamas 317 Aegean Outboard 2012 tips the scales at 6 950 lbs - 400 lbs less than the Stamas 290 Express Outboard 2006 at 6 550 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 500 hp for the Stamas 290 Express Outboard 2006 and 500 hp for the Stamas 317 Aegean Outboard 2012. 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 - 250 gal and 250 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Stamas 317 Aegean Outboard 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Stamas 290 Express Outboard 2006 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stamas 317 Aegean Outboard 2012 could be the deciding factor.