When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the EdgeWater 170CC 2011 and the EdgeWater 245CX 2013 are deep vee designs with composite 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 EdgeWater 245CX 2013 measures 24,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 7,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the EdgeWater 170CC 2011 at 16,8 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the EdgeWater 245CX 2013 tips the scales at 355 lbs — 338 lbs less than the EdgeWater 170CC 2011 at 17 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 350 hp, the EdgeWater 245CX 2013 has a 235-hp advantage over the EdgeWater 170CC 2011'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 EdgeWater 170CC 2011 carries 32 gallons versus 13 gallons in the EdgeWater 245CX 2013. 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 245CX 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the EdgeWater 170CC 2011 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the EdgeWater 245CX 2013 could be the deciding factor.