Matching a modified vee Alumacraft PF170 2009 against a tunnel Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013 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 PF170 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 867 lbs less than the Alumacraft PF170 2009 at 8 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 115 hp, the Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013 has a 55-hp advantage over the Alumacraft PF170 2009's 60-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 VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft PF170 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft PF170 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013. 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.