The Leisure Pontoons 1723 Island 2006 vs Leisure Pontoons 2023 Meridian 2007 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 Leisure Pontoons 1723 Island 2006 measures 17,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Leisure Pontoons 2023 Meridian 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Leisure Pontoons 1723 Island 2006 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 864 lbs more than the Leisure Pontoons 2023 Meridian 2007 at 11 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 50 hp, the Leisure Pontoons 1723 Island 2006 has a 48-hp advantage over the Leisure Pontoons 2023 Meridian 2007's 2-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Leisure Pontoons 2023 Meridian 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Leisure Pontoons 1723 Island 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Leisure Pontoons 2023 Meridian 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Leisure Pontoons 2023 Meridian 2007 comes in at 6 lbs per hp versus 18 lbs per hp for the Leisure Pontoons 1723 Island 2006. 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.
The Leisure Pontoons 1723 Island 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Leisure Pontoons 2023 Meridian 2007 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Leisure Pontoons 2023 Meridian 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Leisure Pontoons 1723 Island 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.