Matching a pontoon Sweetwater SW 1980 F 2009 against a trimaran Sweetwater SW 2586 2010 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sweetwater SW 2586 2010 measures 25,2 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 6,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sweetwater SW 1980 F 2009 at 19,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sweetwater SW 2586 2010 tips the scales at 1 871 lbs — 1 662 lbs less than the Sweetwater SW 1980 F 2009 at 209 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 150 hp, the Sweetwater SW 2586 2010 has a 75-hp advantage over the Sweetwater SW 1980 F 2009's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sweetwater SW 2586 2010 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Sweetwater SW 1980 F 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sweetwater SW 2586 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sweetwater SW 2586 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 25,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sweetwater SW 1980 F 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.