The May-Craft 1700 Skiff 2007 vs May-Craft 2550CCX 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The May-Craft 2550CCX 2009 measures 25,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the May-Craft 1700 Skiff 2007 at 16,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the May-Craft 2550CCX 2009 tips the scales at 3 100 lbs - 2 300 lbs less than the May-Craft 1700 Skiff 2007 at 800 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 300 hp, the May-Craft 2550CCX 2009 has a 240-hp advantage over the May-Craft 1700 Skiff 2007's 60-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 May-Craft 2550CCX 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the May-Craft 1700 Skiff 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the May-Craft 2550CCX 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the May-Craft 2550CCX 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The May-Craft 1700 Skiff 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.