The Blue Wave 170 T Special 2005 vs Blue Wave 220 T-Special 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 measures 22,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Blue Wave 170 T Special 2005 at 16,0 feet (2005). At 75 lbs and 13 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 has a 80-hp advantage over the Blue Wave 170 T Special 2005's 70-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 220 T-Special 2010 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Blue Wave 170 T Special 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Blue Wave 220 T-Special 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Blue Wave 170 T Special 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.