When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Key West 1720 CC 2012 and the Key West 293 CC 2007 are modified 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Key West 293 CC 2007 measures 29,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 11,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Key West 1720 CC 2012 at 17,2 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Key West 1720 CC 2012 tips the scales at 115 lbs — 109 lbs more than the Key West 293 CC 2007 at 6 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 600 hp, the Key West 293 CC 2007 has a 480-hp advantage over the Key West 1720 CC 2012's 120-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Key West 1720 CC 2012 carries 31 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Key West 293 CC 2007. 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 293 CC 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Key West 1720 CC 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Key West 293 CC 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Key West 293 CC 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 29,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Key West 1720 CC 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.