The Pro-Line 17 Sport 2008 vs Pro-Line 31 Sport 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 31 Sport 2006 measures 32,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Pro-Line 17 Sport 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 tips the scales at 7 000 lbs - 5 300 lbs less than the Pro-Line 17 Sport 2008 at 1 700 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 600 hp, the Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 has a 485-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 carries 300 gallons versus 40 gallons in the Pro-Line 17 Sport 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 is rated for 9 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 31 Sport 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Pro-Line 31 Sport 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 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.