Both the EdgeWater 170CC 2011 and the EdgeWater 318CC 2010 are deep-V designs, the first built in composite and the second 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 EdgeWater 318CC 2010 measures 32,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 15,2 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 318CC 2010 tips the scales at 6 500 lbs - 4 800 lbs less than the EdgeWater 170CC 2011 at 1 700 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 700 hp, the EdgeWater 318CC 2010 has a 585-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 318CC 2010 carries 300 gallons versus 32 gallons in the EdgeWater 170CC 2011. 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 318CC 2010 is rated for 12 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 318CC 2010 could be the deciding factor.