The Key West 1520 CC 2012 vs Key West Boats 1720 Center Console 2016 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 80 hp for the Key West 1520 CC 2012 and 90 hp for the Key West Boats 1720 Center Console 2016. 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 Key West Boats 1720 Center Console 2016 carries 31 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Key West 1520 CC 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 Key West Boats 1720 Center Console 2016 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Key West 1520 CC 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Key West Boats 1720 Center Console 2016 could be the deciding factor.