Matching a flat SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2013 against a modified vee SeaArk Super Jon 1872MV 2008 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 2013 at 16,8 ft versus SeaArk Super Jon 1872MV 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2013 tips the scales at 475 lbs — 400 lbs more than the SeaArk Super Jon 1872MV 2008 at 75 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 80 hp, the SeaArk Super Jon 1872MV 2008 has a 35-hp advantage over the SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2013'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 Super Jon 1872MV 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the SeaArk Super Jon 1872MV 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The SeaArk Super Jon 1872MV 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the SeaArk Mud Runner 170 2013. 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.