The Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2007 is a modified-V design and the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2007 is a flat-bottom design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 - Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2007 at 17,0 ft versus Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2007 at 15,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2007 tips the scales at 790 lbs - 215 lbs more than the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2007 at 575 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 - 130 hp for the Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2007 and 110 hp for the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2007. 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 Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2007 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2007 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2007 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Fish-Rite Fishmaster 16 ft. Guide (84 in. beam) 2007 comes in at 5 lbs per hp versus 6 lbs per hp for the Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2007. 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.