Both the EdgeWater 170CC 2013 and the EdgeWater 280CX 2013 are deep-V designs, both built 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The EdgeWater 280CX 2013 measures 28,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 11,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the EdgeWater 170CC 2013 at 16,8 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the EdgeWater 280CX 2013 tips the scales at 6 500 lbs - 4 800 lbs less than the EdgeWater 170CC 2013 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 600 hp, the EdgeWater 280CX 2013 has a 485-hp advantage over the EdgeWater 170CC 2013'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 280CX 2013 carries 200 gallons versus 32 gallons in the EdgeWater 170CC 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 280CX 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the EdgeWater 170CC 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the EdgeWater 280CX 2013 could be the deciding factor.