When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 and the Ranger Z117 2013 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Ranger Z117 2013 at 17,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 tips the scales at 985 lbs — 971 lbs more than the Ranger Z117 2013 at 14 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008 and 115 hp for the Ranger Z117 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Ranger Z117 2013 carries 22 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Ranger Z117 2013 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 9 lbs per hp for the Ranger 173 Ghost 2008. 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.