I love apos but Portaballs are legendary planetary instruments too! CO is only 20%. Unless seeing is bad the 8-inch should win. I know you guys have much better seeing in Central coast CA that around here. Seeing around here is usually poor and it's cold at night, apos rule in those conditions. But you guys have the laminar flow off the ocean.
I second the motion for a Teeter solid-tube Newt. I've got an AP160 refractor and I'm tempted to try a Teeter STS 10-inch. The tube weight is about the same as the 160, although much wider in diameter.
I'm thinking it'd be fun to mount the Newt on my equatorial. I guess I'd need rotating rings and a lower tripod. But a premium 10-inch Newt on a real equatorial mount would be cool!
another thought - if planetary views are what you're after why not try an older AP 130 f/8. You'll need a barlow with the f/6 to get high power. Or maybe even a TEC140. The 130 f/6 would have the advantage of transporting and setting up quickly - the OTA is only 15 pounds. The small size and weight allow you to use it on alt-az mounts too. That would be the absolute fastest way to get viewing - no collimation or fans, just attach to a DM6 or something similar.
The scope I use the most is an 120mm Star 12 ED on a Tak Teegul. It's ready to go fast and always gives a very sharp image. You know whether seeing is bad or not right away, you're never wondering about collimation or cooling. Many of us sacrifice aperture to get the razor-sharp views and contrast that only an unobstructed apo can provide.