When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Glastron MX 185 2012 and the Glastron SSV 170 2009 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 MX 185 2012 at 18,4 ft versus Glastron SSV 170 2009 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron MX 185 2012 tips the scales at 228 lbs — 216 lbs more than the Glastron SSV 170 2009 at 12 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 Glastron MX 185 2012 carries a rated maximum of 220 hp. Engine data for the Glastron SSV 170 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 gal and 23 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 7 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.