The Sundance B20 CX 2006 vs Sundance DX18 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Sundance B20 CX 2006 at 19,0 ft versus Sundance DX18 2012 at 17,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sundance B20 CX 2006 tips the scales at 1 595 lbs - 240 lbs more than the Sundance DX18 2012 at 1 355 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 130 hp, the Sundance B20 CX 2006 has a 40-hp advantage over the Sundance DX18 2012's 90-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 33 gal and 33 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sundance B20 CX 2006 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Sundance DX18 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sundance B20 CX 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sundance B20 CX 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 11 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sundance DX18 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.