When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Pro-Lite 17CC 2009 and the Pro-Lite 21CC 2010 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Pro-Lite 21CC 2010 measures 21,7 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 4,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Pro-Lite 17CC 2009 at 17,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Pro-Lite 17CC 2009 tips the scales at 1 637 lbs — 1 610 lbs more than the Pro-Lite 21CC 2010 at 27 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 150 hp, the Pro-Lite 21CC 2010 has a 35-hp advantage over the Pro-Lite 17CC 2009'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 7 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Pro-Lite 21CC 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Pro-Lite 17CC 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Pro-Lite 21CC 2010 could be the deciding factor.