Both the Century Boats 1701 Center Console 2008 and the Century Boats 2001 Center Console 2009 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 Century Boats 2001 Center Console 2009 measures 20,2 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 3,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Century Boats 1701 Center Console 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Century Boats 2001 Center Console 2009 tips the scales at 2 300 lbs - 500 lbs less than the Century Boats 1701 Center Console 2008 at 1 800 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 150 hp, the Century Boats 2001 Center Console 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Century Boats 1701 Center Console 2008's 115-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Century Boats 2001 Center Console 2009 carries 60 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Century Boats 1701 Center Console 2008. 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 Century Boats 2001 Center Console 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Century Boats 1701 Center Console 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Century Boats 2001 Center Console 2009 could be the deciding factor.