When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Pro-Lite 17CC 2010 and the Pro-Lite 20 Flats 2009 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 17CC 2010 measures 17,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 15,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Pro-Lite 20 Flats 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Pro-Lite 20 Flats 2009 tips the scales at 1 819 lbs — 182 lbs less than the Pro-Lite 17CC 2010 at 1 637 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 140 hp, the Pro-Lite 20 Flats 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the Pro-Lite 17CC 2010'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 4 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Pro-Lite 20 Flats 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Pro-Lite 17CC 2010 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 20 Flats 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Pro-Lite 20 Flats 2009 comes in at 13 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the Pro-Lite 17CC 2010. 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.