When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ProGator 170V 2010 and the ProGator Lil' Gator 2 2011 are modified vee designs with composite 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — ProGator 170V 2010 at 17,0 ft versus ProGator Lil' Gator 2 2011 at 14,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the ProGator Lil' Gator 2 2011 tips the scales at 275 lbs — 180 lbs less than the ProGator 170V 2010 at 95 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 125 hp, the ProGator 170V 2010 has a 95-hp advantage over the ProGator Lil' Gator 2 2011's 30-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 ProGator 170V 2010 is rated for 3 passengers, while the ProGator Lil' Gator 2 2011 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the ProGator 170V 2010 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The ProGator 170V 2010 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 9 lbs per hp for the ProGator Lil' Gator 2 2011. 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.