When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Key West 1720 DC 2008 and the Key West 177 SK 2011 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Key West 1720 DC 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Key West 177 SK 2011 at 17,3 ft. At 12 lbs and 11 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 120 hp, the Key West 1720 DC 2008 has a 30-hp advantage over the Key West 177 SK 2011's 90-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 DC 2008 carries 31 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Key West 177 SK 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Key West 1720 DC 2008 is rated for up to 5 people. Passenger data for the Key West 177 SK 2011 wasn't available.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Key West 177 SK 2011 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 0 lbs per hp for the Key West 1720 DC 2008. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.