When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Supra Launch 24 SSV 2008 and the Supra Launch 242 2013 are modified 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Supra Launch 24 SSV 2008 at 24,0 ft versus Supra Launch 242 2013 at 24,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Supra Launch 24 SSV 2008 tips the scales at 395 lbs — 391 lbs more than the Supra Launch 242 2013 at 4 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 450 hp, the Supra Launch 24 SSV 2008 has a 105-hp advantage over the Supra Launch 242 2013's 345-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Supra Launch 242 2013 carries 68 gallons versus 52 gallons in the Supra Launch 24 SSV 2008. 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 Supra Launch 24 SSV 2008 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Supra Launch 242 2013 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Supra Launch 24 SSV 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Supra Launch 24 SSV 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Supra Launch 242 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 15 that costs less to run day-to-day.