Both the Larson 1700 LX 2010 and the Larson LX 710 I/O 2011 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 - Larson 1700 LX 2010 at 16,9 ft versus Larson LX 710 I/O 2011 at 17,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Larson LX 710 I/O 2011 tips the scales at 2 040 lbs - 390 lbs less than the Larson 1700 LX 2010 at 1 650 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 - 115 hp for the Larson 1700 LX 2010 and 135 hp for the Larson LX 710 I/O 2011. 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 - 23 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.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Larson 1700 LX 2010 comes in at 14 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Larson LX 710 I/O 2011. 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.