When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the War Eagle 2072 2013 and the War Eagle 542VS 2013 are flat 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 War Eagle 2072 2013 measures 20,2 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the War Eagle 542VS 2013 at 15,3 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the War Eagle 2072 2013 tips the scales at 732 lbs — 307 lbs more than the War Eagle 542VS 2013 at 425 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The War Eagle 542VS 2013 tops out at 25 hp. Engine specs for the War Eagle 2072 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The War Eagle 2072 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the War Eagle 542VS 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the War Eagle 2072 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the War Eagle 2072 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The War Eagle 542VS 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.