When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the SunChaser 7518 Cruise 2013 and the SunChaser 820 Cruise 2012 are pontoon designs with aluminum 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 — SunChaser 7518 Cruise 2013 at 18,3 ft versus SunChaser 820 Cruise 2012 at 20,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the SunChaser 820 Cruise 2012 tips the scales at 1 745 lbs — 1 728 lbs less than the SunChaser 7518 Cruise 2013 at 17 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 90 hp, the SunChaser 820 Cruise 2012 has a 40-hp advantage over the SunChaser 7518 Cruise 2013's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: The SunChaser 820 Cruise 2012 at 20,8 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The SunChaser 7518 Cruise 2013 at 18,3 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.