Both the Glastron GT 185 2011 and the Glastron SSV 170 2011 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 185 2011 at 18,4 ft versus Glastron SSV 170 2011 at 16,9 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GT 185 2011 tips the scales at 2 315 lbs - 1 115 lbs more than the Glastron SSV 170 2011 at 1 200 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 220 hp, the Glastron GT 185 2011 has a 105-hp advantage over the Glastron SSV 170 2011's 115-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 23 gal and 23 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Glastron GT 185 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Glastron SSV 170 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GT 185 2011 could be the deciding factor.