When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Stingray 195CX 2007 and the Stingray 204LR Sport Deck 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Stingray 195CX 2007 at 19,0 ft versus Stingray 204LR Sport Deck 2012 at 20,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Stingray 195CX 2007 tips the scales at 2 642 lbs — 2 393 lbs more than the Stingray 204LR Sport Deck 2012 at 249 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.

The Stingray 204LR Sport Deck 2012 tops out at 150 hp. Engine specs for the Stingray 195CX 2007 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 35 gal and 35 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Stingray 204LR Sport Deck 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Stingray 195CX 2007 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stingray 204LR Sport Deck 2012 could be the deciding factor.