Both the EdgeWater 145CC 2008 and the EdgeWater 170CC 2012 are deep-V designs, the first built in fibreglass and the second in composite, 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - EdgeWater 145CC 2008 at 14,0 ft versus EdgeWater 170CC 2012 at 16,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the EdgeWater 170CC 2012 tips the scales at 1 700 lbs - 700 lbs less than the EdgeWater 145CC 2008 at 1 000 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 EdgeWater 170CC 2012 has a 55-hp advantage over the EdgeWater 145CC 2008's 60-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the EdgeWater 170CC 2012 carries 32 gallons versus 12 gallons in the EdgeWater 145CC 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 EdgeWater 170CC 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the EdgeWater 145CC 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the EdgeWater 170CC 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The EdgeWater 170CC 2012 comes in at 15 lbs per hp versus 17 lbs per hp for the EdgeWater 145CC 2008. 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.