Matching a modified vee Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher 2010 against a other Action Craft 1820 Flats Master 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher 2010 at 17,2 ft versus Action Craft 1820 Flats Master 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Action Craft 1820 Flats Master 2008 tips the scales at 975 lbs — 884 lbs less than the Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher 2010 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 135 hp for the Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher 2010 and 150 hp for the Action Craft 1820 Flats Master 2008. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Action Craft 1820 Flats Master 2008 carries 45 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Action Craft 1820 Flats Master 2008 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 1720 FlyFisher 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher 2010 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 7 lbs per hp for the Action Craft 1820 Flats Master 2008. 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 Action Craft 1720 FlyFisher 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Action Craft 1820 Flats Master 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.