The Amels Here Comes The Sun 2017 vs Amels Lightning 2003 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 Amels Here Comes The Sun 2017 measures 292,0 feet overall (2017), giving it roughly 121,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Amels Lightning 2003 at 171,0 feet (2003). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Amels Here Comes The Sun 2017 tips the scales at 5 910 000 lbs — 4 692 000 lbs more than the Amels Lightning 2003 at 1 218 000 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 3 151 hp, the Amels Here Comes The Sun 2017 has a 1 952-hp advantage over the Amels Lightning 2003's 1 199-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Amels Here Comes The Sun 2017 carries 60 043 gallons versus 30 908 gallons in the Amels Lightning 2003. 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 Amels Here Comes The Sun 2017 is rated for 89 passengers, while the Amels Lightning 2003 caps at 52. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Amels Here Comes The Sun 2017 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Amels Here Comes The Sun 2017 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 89 passengers and at 292,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Amels Lightning 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 52 that costs less to run day-to-day.