The Pro-Line 17 Sport 2008 vs Pro-Line 28 Express 2006 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 Pro-Line 28 Express 2006 measures 29,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 12,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Pro-Line 17 Sport 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). At 17 lbs and 75 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 500 hp, the Pro-Line 28 Express 2006 has a 385-hp advantage over the Pro-Line 17 Sport 2008's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 4 gal and 2 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Pro-Line 28 Express 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Pro-Line 17 Sport 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Pro-Line 28 Express 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Pro-Line 28 Express 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 29,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Pro-Line 17 Sport 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.