When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Boston Whaler 170 Super Sport 2010 and the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2011 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2011 measures 23,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Boston Whaler 170 Super Sport 2010 at 17,0 feet (2010). At 115 lbs and 29 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 250 hp, the Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2011 has a 160-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 170 Super Sport 2010'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 — 12 gal and 9 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 170 Super Sport 2010 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 230 Dauntless 2011 could be the deciding factor.