When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Silver Dolphin Bow Rider 2011 and the Silver Dolphin Open 2011 are deep vee designs with aluminum 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 — Silver Dolphin Bow Rider 2011 at 17,0 ft versus Silver Dolphin Open 2011 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Silver Dolphin Bow Rider 2011 tips the scales at 1 485 lbs — 1 389 lbs more than the Silver Dolphin Open 2011 at 96 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 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.
Bottom line: The Silver Dolphin Bow Rider 2011 and Silver Dolphin Open 2011 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.