Both the Surtees 540 Workmate 2026 and the Surtees 650 Pro Fisher 2026 are V-hull designs, both built in aluminium, so 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 Surtees 650 Pro Fisher 2026 measures 21,3 feet overall (2026), giving it roughly 3,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Surtees 540 Workmate 2026 at 17,7 feet (2026). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Surtees 650 Pro Fisher 2026 tips the scales at 3 307 lbs - 937 lbs less than the Surtees 540 Workmate 2026 at 2 370 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 200 hp, the Surtees 650 Pro Fisher 2026 has a 85-hp advantage over the Surtees 540 Workmate 2026's 115-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Surtees 650 Pro Fisher 2026 carries 53 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Surtees 540 Workmate 2026. 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 Surtees 650 Pro Fisher 2026 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Surtees 540 Workmate 2026 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Surtees 650 Pro Fisher 2026 could be the deciding factor.