When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Triton Boats 351 CC 2007 and the Triton Boats 351 XD 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 1 050 hp, the Triton Boats 351 XD 2009 has a 150-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 351 CC 2007's 900-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 355 gal and 355 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 12 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.