The Qwest 717 XRE Fish 2007 vs Qwest 7514 Sport Deluxe 2011 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Qwest 717 XRE Fish 2007 at 17,0 ft versus Qwest 7514 Sport Deluxe 2011 at 14,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Qwest 717 XRE Fish 2007 tips the scales at 1 275 lbs — 1 170 lbs more than the Qwest 7514 Sport Deluxe 2011 at 105 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 50 hp, the Qwest 717 XRE Fish 2007 has a 47-hp advantage over the Qwest 7514 Sport Deluxe 2011's 3-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 Qwest 717 XRE Fish 2007 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Qwest 7514 Sport Deluxe 2011 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Qwest 717 XRE Fish 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Qwest 717 XRE Fish 2007 comes in at 26 lbs per hp versus 35 lbs per hp for the Qwest 7514 Sport Deluxe 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Qwest 717 XRE Fish 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Qwest 7514 Sport Deluxe 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.