The Ice Yachts 72 2017 vs Ice Yachts 80 2023 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Ice Yachts 80 2023 measures 78,9 feet overall (2023), giving it roughly 8,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Ice Yachts 72 2017 at 70,1 feet (2017). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Ice Yachts 80 2023 tips the scales at 77 162 lbs — 8 819 lbs less than the Ice Yachts 72 2017 at 68 343 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 260 hp for the Ice Yachts 72 2017 and 260 hp for the Ice Yachts 80 2023. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 264 gal and 264 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Ice Yachts 80 2023 is rated for 24 passengers, while the Ice Yachts 72 2017 caps at 21. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ice Yachts 80 2023 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Ice Yachts 80 2023 displaces 77 162 lbs — a 8 819-lb difference over the Ice Yachts 72 2017 at 68 343 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Ice Yachts 72 2017 draws 11,2 ft, compared to 9,1 ft for the Ice Yachts 80 2023. That 2,1-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Ice Yachts 72 2017 uses Sloop rigging.
Bottom line: The Ice Yachts 80 2023 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 77 162 lbs displacement and 79 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Ice Yachts 72 2017 at 68 343 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.