The AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 vs AB-Inflatables Mares 10 VSX 2017 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 measures 17,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the AB-Inflatables Mares 10 VSX 2017 at 10,6 feet (2017). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 tips the scales at 1 181 lbs - 894 lbs more than the AB-Inflatables Mares 10 VSX 2017 at 287 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 2012 has a 65-hp advantage over the AB-Inflatables Mares 10 VSX 2017'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 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the AB-Inflatables Mares 10 VSX 2017 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the AB Inflatables 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The AB-Inflatables Mares 10 VSX 2017 comes in at 12 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 Mares 10 VSX 2017 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 17 DLX - Widebody Bowrider 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The AB-Inflatables Mares 10 VSX 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.