Both the Striper 1851 Walkaround 2010 and the Striper 2601 Center Console 2011 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 Striper 2601 Center Console 2011 measures 25,6 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 7,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Striper 1851 Walkaround 2010 at 18,5 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Striper 2601 Center Console 2011 tips the scales at 4 250 lbs - 1 500 lbs less than the Striper 1851 Walkaround 2010 at 2 750 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Striper 2601 Center Console 2011 has a 125-hp advantage over the Striper 1851 Walkaround 2010's 175-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Striper 2601 Center Console 2011 carries 160 gallons versus 62 gallons in the Striper 1851 Walkaround 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Striper 2601 Center Console 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Striper 1851 Walkaround 2010 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Striper 2601 Center Console 2011 could be the deciding factor.