Matching a modified vee G3 Boats Eagle 170 SE 2012 against a deep vee G3 Boats V172 F 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — G3 Boats Eagle 170 SE 2012 at 17,0 ft versus G3 Boats V172 F 2009 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the G3 Boats V172 F 2009 tips the scales at 155 lbs — 154 lbs less than the G3 Boats Eagle 170 SE 2012 at 1 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 115 hp, the G3 Boats V172 F 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the G3 Boats Eagle 170 SE 2012's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the G3 Boats V172 F 2009 carries 33 gallons versus 21 gallons in the G3 Boats Eagle 170 SE 2012. 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 G3 Boats V172 F 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the G3 Boats Eagle 170 SE 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the G3 Boats V172 F 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The G3 Boats Eagle 170 SE 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the G3 Boats V172 F 2009. 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.