Matching a flat Alumacraft Crappie Jon 2011 against a modified vee Alumacraft VS170 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 — Alumacraft Crappie Jon 2011 at 14,0 ft versus Alumacraft VS170 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft VS170 2008 tips the scales at 852 lbs — 819 lbs less than the Alumacraft Crappie Jon 2011 at 33 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 70 hp, the Alumacraft VS170 2008 has a 55-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Crappie Jon 2011's 15-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 Alumacraft VS170 2008 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft Crappie Jon 2011 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft VS170 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft Crappie Jon 2011 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft VS170 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 Alumacraft VS170 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Crappie Jon 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.