The AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 vs AB-Inflatables Alumina 18 ALX 2016 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 at 17,0 ft versus AB-Inflatables Alumina 18 ALX 2016 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 tips the scales at 1 181 lbs — 286 lbs more than the AB-Inflatables Alumina 18 ALX 2016 at 895 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 and 90 hp for the AB-Inflatables Alumina 18 ALX 2016. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The AB-Inflatables Alumina 18 ALX 2016 is rated for 5 passengers, while the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 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 Alumina 18 ALX 2016 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The AB-Inflatables Alumina 18 ALX 2016 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 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.
The AB-Inflatables Alumina 18 ALX 2016 is trailerable — a genuine lifestyle advantage at this size. The AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 isn't listed as trailerable, which may mean a permanent berth or mooring is required.
Bottom line: Choose the AB-Inflatables Alumina 18 ALX 2016 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.