Both the Princecraft Sport 172 2010 and the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 are modified-V designs, both built in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Princecraft Sport 172 2010 at 17,4 ft versus Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Sport 172 2010 tips the scales at 1 225 lbs - 755 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 at 470 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 Sport 172 2010 has a 75-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008's 40-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 Starfish DLX BT 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Sport 172 2010 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Sport 172 2010 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008. 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.