Matching a tunnel SeaArk BayRunner MVJT 2012 against a modified vee SeaArk Forecast 170SS 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The SeaArk BayRunner MVJT 2012 measures 20,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the SeaArk Forecast 170SS 2012 at 17,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the SeaArk BayRunner MVJT 2012 tips the scales at 119 lbs — 111 lbs more than the SeaArk Forecast 170SS 2012 at 8 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 115 hp, the SeaArk BayRunner MVJT 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the SeaArk Forecast 170SS 2012's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the SeaArk Forecast 170SS 2012 carries 15 gallons versus 3 gallons in the SeaArk BayRunner MVJT 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The SeaArk BayRunner MVJT 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the SeaArk Forecast 170SS 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the SeaArk BayRunner MVJT 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the SeaArk BayRunner MVJT 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The SeaArk Forecast 170SS 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.