Both the War Eagle 648VS 2009 and the War Eagle 860 2013 are flat-bottom 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - War Eagle 648VS 2009 at 16,3 ft versus War Eagle 860 2013 at 18,5 ft. At 475 lbs and 550 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class - either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The War Eagle 648VS 2009 carries a rated maximum of 40 hp. Engine data for the War Eagle 860 2013 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The War Eagle 860 2013 is rated for 5 passengers, while the War Eagle 648VS 2009 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 860 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the War Eagle 860 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The War Eagle 648VS 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.