Matching a modified vee SeaArk Forecast 170C 2008 against a flat SeaArk Mud Runner 170 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — SeaArk Forecast 170C 2008 at 17,0 ft versus SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2012 at 16,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the SeaArk Forecast 170C 2008 tips the scales at 775 lbs — 300 lbs more than the SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2012 at 475 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 75 hp, the SeaArk Forecast 170C 2008 has a 30-hp advantage over the SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2012's 45-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 SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the SeaArk Forecast 170C 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The SeaArk Forecast 170C 2008 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the SeaArk Mud Runner 170 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.