What is the purpose of this boat? Are you going to be putsing around in a farm pond or putting on a decent sized outboard and zooming around in big water? The Grizzly is going to be a much heavier boat. Yes, that is "better" - more durable. But, it will come at a price (not just in $$). It will need more HP to push it. More weight on the trailer (not that jon boats are really heavy anyway). Etc. The thinner boat can be a long-lasting investment - IF you don't try and use it for more than it was designed for.