When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Sunsation 36 S 2013 and the Sunsation 36 XRT 2012 are deep 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?

The Sunsation 36 XRT 2012 tops out at 430 hp. Engine specs for the Sunsation 36 S 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 145 gal and 145 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 10 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.