When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the AB Inflatables 13 AL - Superlight 2010 and the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2011 are inflatable rigid designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2011 measures 17,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the AB Inflatables 13 AL - Superlight 2010 at 13,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2011 tips the scales at 1 181 lbs — 932 lbs less than the AB Inflatables 13 AL - Superlight 2010 at 249 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 90 hp, the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2011 has a 65-hp advantage over the AB Inflatables 13 AL - Superlight 2010'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 AB Inflatables 13 AL - Superlight 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2011 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the AB Inflatables 13 AL - Superlight 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The AB Inflatables 13 AL - Superlight 2010 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 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 AB Inflatables 13 AL - Superlight 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 13,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.