When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Raider 20 River Raider 2013 and the Raider Pro-Sport 172 2012 are deep vee designs with aluminum 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 Raider Pro-Sport 172 2012 measures 17,2 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 15,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Raider 20 River Raider 2013 at 2,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Raider 20 River Raider 2013 tips the scales at 322 lbs — 203 lbs more than the Raider Pro-Sport 172 2012 at 119 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 320 hp, the Raider 20 River Raider 2013 has a 230-hp advantage over the Raider Pro-Sport 172 2012's 90-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 Raider 20 River Raider 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Raider Pro-Sport 172 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Raider 20 River Raider 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Raider 20 River Raider 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Raider Pro-Sport 172 2012. 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.