The Carolina Skiff 17 LS 2024 vs Carolina Skiff 1765 DLX 2008 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 — Carolina Skiff 17 LS 2024 at 17,0 ft versus Carolina Skiff 1765 DLX 2008 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Carolina Skiff 17 LS 2024 tips the scales at 1 700 lbs — 1 692 lbs more than the Carolina Skiff 1765 DLX 2008 at 8 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 Carolina Skiff 17 LS 2024 has a 40-hp advantage over the Carolina Skiff 1765 DLX 2008's 75-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 Carolina Skiff 1765 DLX 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Carolina Skiff 17 LS 2024 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Carolina Skiff 1765 DLX 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Carolina Skiff 1765 DLX 2008 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Carolina Skiff 17 LS 2024. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Carolina Skiff 1765 DLX 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Carolina Skiff 17 LS 2024 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.