Both the ThunderJet Envoy - Northern Edition 2010 and the ThunderJet Rio Classic 2012 are modified-V 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?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the ThunderJet Rio Classic 2012 has a 70-hp advantage over the ThunderJet Envoy - Northern Edition 2010's 250-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the ThunderJet Rio Classic 2012 carries 80 gallons versus 48 gallons in the ThunderJet Envoy - Northern Edition 2010. 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 Rio Classic 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the ThunderJet Envoy - Northern Edition 2010 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the ThunderJet Rio Classic 2012 could be the deciding factor.