Matching a deep vee Fisher 170 Pro Avenger Sport 2009 against a pontoon Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2008 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 — Fisher 170 Pro Avenger Sport 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2008 tips the scales at 1 507 lbs — 132 lbs less than the Fisher 170 Pro Avenger Sport 2009 at 1 375 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 135 hp, the Fisher 170 Pro Avenger Sport 2009 has a 60-hp advantage over the Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2008's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2008 carries 19 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Fisher 170 Pro Avenger Sport 2009. 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 Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Fisher 170 Pro Avenger Sport 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Fisher 170 Pro Avenger Sport 2009 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 20 lbs per hp for the Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2008. 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.