When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2008 and the Weld-Craft V & UV Jon Boats 2012 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?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2008 has a 130-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft V & UV Jon Boats 2012's 20-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Weld-Craft V & UV Jon Boats 2012 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weld-Craft 1860 V Bass 2008 could be the deciding factor.