Matching a flat Weld-Craft 36 - 44 in. Bottom Flat Jon Boats 2013 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 260 XL 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Weldcraft Marine 260 XL 2009 measures 26,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Weld-Craft 36 - 44 in. Bottom Flat Jon Boats 2013 at 12,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weld-Craft 36 - 44 in. Bottom Flat Jon Boats 2013 tips the scales at 175 lbs — 126 lbs more than the Weldcraft Marine 260 XL 2009 at 49 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 500 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 260 XL 2009 has a 485-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft 36 - 44 in. Bottom Flat Jon Boats 2013's 15-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 Weldcraft Marine 260 XL 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Weld-Craft 36 - 44 in. Bottom Flat Jon Boats 2013 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 260 XL 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 260 XL 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weld-Craft 36 - 44 in. Bottom Flat Jon Boats 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.