The Leisure Pontoons 1723 Meridian 2006 vs Leisure Pontoons 1725 Island 2009 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Leisure Pontoons 1723 Meridian 2006 at 17,0 ft versus Leisure Pontoons 1725 Island 2009 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Leisure Pontoons 1723 Meridian 2006 tips the scales at 115 lbs — 106 lbs more than the Leisure Pontoons 1725 Island 2009 at 9 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 60 hp, the Leisure Pontoons 1725 Island 2009 has a 58-hp advantage over the Leisure Pontoons 1723 Meridian 2006'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 1725 Island 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Leisure Pontoons 1723 Meridian 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 1725 Island 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Leisure Pontoons 1725 Island 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 58 lbs per hp for the Leisure Pontoons 1723 Meridian 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 Meridian 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Leisure Pontoons 1725 Island 2009 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 1725 Island 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Leisure Pontoons 1723 Meridian 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.