Matching a deep vee Xpress DVX 165 2012 against a modified vee Xpress H18B 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 DVX 165 2012 at 16,5 ft versus Xpress H18B 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Xpress H18B 2013 tips the scales at 1 187 lbs — 264 lbs less than the Xpress DVX 165 2012 at 923 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 115 hp, the Xpress H18B 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the Xpress DVX 165 2012's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 18 gal and 18 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 4 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Xpress H18B 2013 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Xpress DVX 165 2012. 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.