The G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 vs G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021 measures 17,1 feet overall (2021), giving it roughly 15,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021 tips the scales at 1 080 lbs — 872 lbs less than the G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 at 208 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 — 100 hp for the G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 and 90 hp for the G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021 carries 21 gallons versus 3 gallons in the G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007. 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 LX 20 Cruise 2007 is rated for 11 passengers, while the G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021. 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.
The G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021 is trailerable — a genuine lifestyle advantage at this size. The G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 isn't listed as trailerable, which may mean a permanent berth or mooring is required. The G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 trailer is listed at 2,770 lbs.
The G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the G3 Boats LX 20 Cruise 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The G3 Boats Sportsman 1710 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.