Both the Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 and the Triton Boats TR-20X HP 2008 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, 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 250 hp, the Triton Boats TR-20X HP 2008 has a 135-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010's 115-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 56 gal and 54 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Triton Boats TR-20X HP 2008 is rated for 645 passengers, while the Triton Boats 196 Bay Explorer 2010 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats TR-20X HP 2008 could be the deciding factor.