When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 and the ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2013 are modified vee designs with aluminum 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 measures 18,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2013 at 2,0 feet (2013). At 25 lbs and 33 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2013 tops out at 320 hp. Engine specs for the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 48 gal and 48 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2013 could be the deciding factor.