When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Glastron GT 160 CB 2012 and the Glastron SSV 170 2011 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Glastron GT 160 CB 2012 at 16,5 ft versus Glastron SSV 170 2011 at 16,9 ft. At 13 lbs and 12 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Glastron GT 160 CB 2012 and 115 hp for the Glastron SSV 170 2011. 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 Glastron SSV 170 2011 carries 23 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Glastron GT 160 CB 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 Glastron SSV 170 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron GT 160 CB 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron SSV 170 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Glastron SSV 170 2011 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 0 lbs per hp for the Glastron GT 160 CB 2012. 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.