Matching a modified vee Bass Cat Phelix 2011 against a flat Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2011 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 — Bass Cat Phelix 2011 at 17,0 ft versus Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2011 at 17,9 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2011 tips the scales at 885 lbs — 360 lbs less than the Bass Cat Phelix 2011 at 525 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 90 hp, the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2011 has a 65-hp advantage over the Bass Cat Phelix 2011's 25-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 Bass Cat Phelix 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2011 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bass Cat Phelix 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2011 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 21 lbs per hp for the Bass Cat Phelix 2011. 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 Bass Cat Phelix 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bass Cat Skiff Cat 18 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.