The Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher Flats 2009 vs Action Craft 2020 Flats Master 2006 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 Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher Flats 2009 measures 17,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Action Craft 2020 Flats Master 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Action Craft 2020 Flats Master 2006 tips the scales at 1 305 lbs — 1 214 lbs less than the Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher Flats 2009 at 91 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 225 hp, the Action Craft 2020 Flats Master 2006 has a 90-hp advantage over the Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher Flats 2009's 135-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Action Craft 2020 Flats Master 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher Flats 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Action Craft 2020 Flats Master 2006 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher Flats 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 6 lbs per hp for the Action Craft 2020 Flats Master 2006. 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.