The Gillgetter 713 Family Cruise 2010 vs Gillgetter 717 Standard 2006 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Gillgetter 713 Family Cruise 2010 at 13,0 ft versus Gillgetter 717 Standard 2006 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Gillgetter 717 Standard 2006 tips the scales at 1 027 lbs — 932 lbs less than the Gillgetter 713 Family Cruise 2010 at 95 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 25 hp, the Gillgetter 717 Standard 2006 has a 22-hp advantage over the Gillgetter 713 Family Cruise 2010's 3-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Gillgetter 717 Standard 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Gillgetter 713 Family Cruise 2010 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Gillgetter 717 Standard 2006 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Gillgetter 713 Family Cruise 2010 comes in at 32 lbs per hp versus 41 lbs per hp for the Gillgetter 717 Standard 2006. 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.