Matching a flat SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2012 against a modified vee SeaArk Stealth 170 2013 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 Mud Runner 170 2012 at 16,8 ft versus SeaArk Stealth 170 2013 at 17,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2012 tips the scales at 475 lbs — 332 lbs more than the SeaArk Stealth 170 2013 at 143 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 Stealth 170 2013 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.

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 SeaArk Stealth 170 2013 comes in at 2 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.