The Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 is a deep-V design and the Princecraft Yukon DLX BT 2008 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 Xpedition 170 BT 2012 at 16,9 ft versus Princecraft Yukon DLX BT 2008 at 14,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 tips the scales at 970 lbs - 648 lbs more than the Princecraft Yukon DLX BT 2008 at 322 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 75 hp, the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Princecraft Yukon DLX BT 2008's 25-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 Xpedition 170 BT 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft Yukon DLX BT 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Yukon DLX BT 2008 comes in at 13 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 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.