The Odyssey Cottage 1701C 2003 vs Odyssey Millennium 1702M 2005 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 — Odyssey Cottage 1701C 2003 at 16,0 ft versus Odyssey Millennium 1702M 2005 at 16,0 ft. At 14 lbs and 15 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Odyssey Millennium 1702M 2005 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Odyssey Cottage 1701C 2003 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Odyssey Millennium 1702M 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Odyssey Millennium 1702M 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Odyssey Cottage 1701C 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.