Matching a flat Alumaweld Flat Bottom 20 ft. 2010 against a modified vee Alumaweld Free Drifter 17 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Alumaweld Free Drifter 17 2008 measures 17,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Alumaweld Flat Bottom 20 ft. 2010 at 2,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumaweld Free Drifter 17 2008 tips the scales at 935 lbs — 921 lbs less than the Alumaweld Flat Bottom 20 ft. 2010 at 14 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 Alumaweld Flat Bottom 20 ft. 2010 has a 25-hp advantage over the Alumaweld Free Drifter 17 2008's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Alumaweld Free Drifter 17 2008 carries 37 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Alumaweld Flat Bottom 20 ft. 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 Alumaweld Flat Bottom 20 ft. 2010 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumaweld Free Drifter 17 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumaweld Flat Bottom 20 ft. 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumaweld Flat Bottom 20 ft. 2010 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Alumaweld Free Drifter 17 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 Alumaweld Flat Bottom 20 ft. 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumaweld Free Drifter 17 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.