When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Fish-Rite Explorer Series 2009 and the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2007 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Fish-Rite Explorer Series 2009 at 16,0 ft versus Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2007 at 17,0 ft. At 7 lbs and 79 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2007 tops out at 130 hp. Engine specs for the Fish-Rite Explorer Series 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fish-Rite Explorer Series 2009 is rated for 650 passengers, while the Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2007 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 Explorer Series 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fish-Rite Explorer Series 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 650 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fish-Rite Rivermaster 17 ft. 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.