When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Stingray 195LS 2008 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 195LS 2008 at 19,0 ft versus Stingray 204LR Sport Deck 2012 at 20,4 ft. At 258 lbs and 249 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The Stingray 204LR Sport Deck 2012 tops out at 150 hp. Engine specs for the Stingray 195LS 2008 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 195LS 2008 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.