Matching a pontoon Princecraft Brio^e 17 2012 against a deep vee Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft Brio^e 17 2012 at 17,1 ft versus Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 at 16,9 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Brio^e 17 2012 tips the scales at 1 306 lbs — 140 lbs more than the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 at 1 166 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 115 hp, the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 has a 67-hp advantage over the Princecraft Brio^e 17 2012's 48-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 Princecraft Brio^e 17 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Brio^e 17 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 27 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Brio^e 17 2012. 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.