When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 and the Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bayliner 170 OB 2012 at 17,5 ft versus Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 tips the scales at 1 878 lbs — 125 lbs less than the Bayliner 170 OB 2012 at 1 753 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 Bayliner 170 OB 2012 carries a rated maximum of 125 hp. Engine data for the Bayliner 180 Bowrider 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 21 gal and 23 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.