The Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2005 vs Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2009 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2009 at 18,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2009 tips the scales at 1 175 lbs — 1 090 lbs less than the Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2005 at 85 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 Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2009 has a 55-hp advantage over the Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2005'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 1900 VLC 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2005 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 1900 VLC 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Blue Wave 1900 VLC 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Blue Wave 170 Blue Skiff Classic 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.