Matching a flat Xpress 1546SS 2011 against a modified vee Xpress HD16DB 2013 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Xpress 1546SS 2011 at 15,0 ft versus Xpress HD16DB 2013 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Xpress 1546SS 2011 tips the scales at 316 lbs — 310 lbs more than the Xpress HD16DB 2013 at 6 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 50 hp, the Xpress HD16DB 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the Xpress 1546SS 2011's 25-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 Xpress HD16DB 2013 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Xpress 1546SS 2011 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Xpress HD16DB 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Xpress HD16DB 2013 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Xpress 1546SS 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Xpress HD16DB 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Xpress 1546SS 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.