The Gator Trax Mud Buddy 17 x 44 (18 in. sides) 2007 vs Gator Trax Mud Buddy 18 in. Sides 2011 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Gator Trax Mud Buddy 17 x 44 (18 in. sides) 2007 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Gator Trax Mud Buddy 18 in. Sides 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Gator Trax Mud Buddy 17 x 44 (18 in. sides) 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Gator Trax Mud Buddy 17 x 44 (18 in. sides) 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Gator Trax Mud Buddy 18 in. Sides 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.