The Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2004 vs Blue Wave 180 Classic 2010 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Blue Wave 180 Classic 2010 has a 55-hp advantage over the Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2004'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 Blue Wave 180 Classic 2010 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2004 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Blue Wave 180 Classic 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Blue Wave 180 Classic 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.