The Xpress XP16PFC 2012 is a modified-V design and the Xpress XP180 Jet 2013 is a tunnel hull design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 XP16PFC 2012 at 16,0 ft versus Xpress XP180 Jet 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Xpress XP180 Jet 2013 tips the scales at 1 045 lbs - 370 lbs less than the Xpress XP16PFC 2012 at 675 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 XP180 Jet 2013 has a 55-hp advantage over the Xpress XP16PFC 2012's 60-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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Xpress XP180 Jet 2013 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Xpress XP16PFC 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Xpress XP180 Jet 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Xpress XP180 Jet 2013 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Xpress XP16PFC 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.