Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2008 vs Fish-Rite High Plains Drifter Series 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2008 against a other Fish-Rite High Plains Drifter Series 2009 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 130 hp, the Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2008 has a 120-hp advantage over the Fish-Rite High Plains Drifter Series 2009's 10-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fish-Rite High Plains Drifter Series 2009 is rated for 900 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fish-Rite High Plains Drifter Series 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fish-Rite High Plains Drifter Series 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 900 passengers and at 15,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fish-Rite Explorer 17 ft. 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeFish-Rite
MakeFish-Rite
ModelExplorer 17 ft
ModelHigh Plains Drifter Series
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam91 in
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail790 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg358.34
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.79
Weight - lbs.not available
Height - Detail28 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.71
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches28
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet15
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Meters4.83
Length overall - Inches204
Length overall - Inches19
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail55 in
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeOther
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessSide: 0.09 in. Bottom: 0.1 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max130 hp
Engine max10 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,200 lbs
Maximum capacity1,175 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people900 lbs