When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the SunChaser 820 F 2008 and the SunChaser Cruise 8520 2013 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The SunChaser Cruise 8520 2013 measures 20,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 18,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the SunChaser 820 F 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). At 175 lbs and 199 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the SunChaser Cruise 8520 2013 has a 40-hp advantage over the SunChaser 820 F 2008's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the SunChaser 820 F 2008 carries 24 gallons versus 3 gallons in the SunChaser Cruise 8520 2013. 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 SunChaser 820 F 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the SunChaser Cruise 8520 2013 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the SunChaser 820 F 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the SunChaser 820 F 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The SunChaser Cruise 8520 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.