When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ThunderJet Denali 2012 and the ThunderJet Havasu 2008 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?

The ThunderJet Havasu 2008 tops out at 425 hp. Engine specs for the ThunderJet Denali 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the ThunderJet Denali 2012 carries 48 gallons versus 5 gallons in the ThunderJet Havasu 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 ThunderJet Havasu 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the ThunderJet Denali 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 Havasu 2008 could be the deciding factor.