Matching a modified vee Boston Whaler 170 Dauntless 2012 against a deep vee Boston Whaler 230 Vantage 2013 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Boston Whaler 230 Vantage 2013 measures 23,2 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Boston Whaler 170 Dauntless 2012 at 17,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Boston Whaler 170 Dauntless 2012 tips the scales at 168 lbs — 129 lbs more than the Boston Whaler 230 Vantage 2013 at 39 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 300 hp, the Boston Whaler 230 Vantage 2013 has a 200-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 170 Dauntless 2012's 100-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Boston Whaler 230 Vantage 2013 carries 111 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Boston Whaler 170 Dauntless 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Boston Whaler 170 Dauntless 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 230 Vantage 2013 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Boston Whaler 170 Dauntless 2012 could be the deciding factor.