When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Stingray 185LS 2009 and the Stingray 250LR 2012 are modified vee 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Stingray 250LR 2012 measures 25,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Stingray 185LS 2009 at 18,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Stingray 185LS 2009 tips the scales at 2 155 lbs — 1 721 lbs more than the Stingray 250LR 2012 at 434 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 Stingray 185LS 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Stingray 250LR 2012 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stingray 185LS 2009 could be the deciding factor.