The Boston Whaler 170 Montauk 2013 vs Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 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 650 hp, the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 has a 560-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 170 Montauk 2013's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 13 gal and 15 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 170 Montauk 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2003 could be the deciding factor.