When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Stingray 230LX 2009 and the Stingray 235DR 2010 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 230LX 2009 at 22,0 ft versus Stingray 235DR 2010 at 23,9 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Stingray 235DR 2010 tips the scales at 4 175 lbs — 951 lbs less than the Stingray 230LX 2009 at 3 224 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 235DR 2010 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Stingray 230LX 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stingray 235DR 2010 could be the deciding factor.