The Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 vs Whittley Voyager 580 2007 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 at 19,0 ft versus Whittley Voyager 580 2007 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Whittley Voyager 580 2007 tips the scales at 3 180 lbs - 320 lbs less than the Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 at 2 860 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 175 hp, the Whittley Voyager 580 2007 has a 35-hp advantage over the Whittley Cruiser 550 2007's 140-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Whittley Voyager 580 2007 carries 34 gallons versus 30 gallons in the Whittley Cruiser 550 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Whittley Voyager 580 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Whittley Cruiser 550 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Whittley Voyager 580 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.