Matching a modified vee Excel Boats 1754SWV4 2011 against a flat Excel Boats 1860SWVCC 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Excel Boats 1754SWV4 2011 at 17,0 ft versus Excel Boats 1860SWVCC 2012 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Excel Boats 1860SWVCC 2012 tips the scales at 825 lbs — 120 lbs less than the Excel Boats 1754SWV4 2011 at 705 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 7 hp for the Excel Boats 1754SWV4 2011 and 7 hp for the Excel Boats 1860SWVCC 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Excel Boats 1860SWVCC 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Excel Boats 1754SWV4 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Excel Boats 1860SWVCC 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Excel Boats 1754SWV4 2011 comes in at 101 lbs per hp versus 118 lbs per hp for the Excel Boats 1860SWVCC 2012. 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.