Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter SX 170 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Skeeter SL 180 2004 or the Skeeter SX 170 2007?

For trailering, the Skeeter SX 170 2007 has the edge at 119 lbs dry weight versus 138 lbs for the Skeeter SL 180 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Skeeter SX 170 2007 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter SL 180 2004 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Skeeter SL 180 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter SX 170 2007 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Skeeter SL 180 2004 measures 89" wide, compared to 87" for the Skeeter SX 170 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and Skeeter SX 170 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 3 gallons and 2 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and Skeeter SX 170 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and the Skeeter SX 170 2007 are built by Skeeter. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter SX 170 2007

Skeeter

Skeeter SL 180 2004

2004

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Skeeter

Skeeter SX 170 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter SX 170 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter SX 170 2007 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Skeeter SX 170 2007 has a 100-hp advantage over the Skeeter SL 180 2004's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 2 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Skeeter SL 180 2004 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter SX 170 2007 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Skeeter SL 180 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Skeeter SL 180 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Skeeter SX 170 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeSkeeter

ModelSL 18

ModelSX 17

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam89 in

Beam87 in

Beam - Meters2.26

Beam - Meters2.21

Beam - Inches89

Beam - Inches87

Draft [max] - Detail13 in

Draft [max] - Detail12 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.33

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Inches13

Draft [max] - Inches12

Weight - Detail1380 lbs

Weight - Detail1,190 lbs

Weight - kg625.96

Weight - kg539.77

Weight - lbs.138

Weight - lbs.119

Height - Detail49 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.24

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches49

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]21 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Meters5.08

Length overall - Inches21

Length overall - Inches2

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail19 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters48.26

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches19

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet16

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal2

Engine max15

Engine max115 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardYamaha

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1400 lbs

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs

Maximum people5 Persons

Maximum people3 or 400 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialComposite

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height62 in

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 7 in. With swing-away tongue: 18 ft. 3 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width93 in

Skeeter SL 180 2004 vs Skeeter SX 170 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Skeeter SL 180 2004 or the Skeeter SX 170 2007?

For trailering, the Skeeter SX 170 2007 has the edge at 119 lbs dry weight versus 138 lbs for the Skeeter SL 180 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Skeeter SX 170 2007 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter SL 180 2004 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Skeeter SL 180 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter SX 170 2007 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Skeeter SL 180 2004 measures 89" wide, compared to 87" for the Skeeter SX 170 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and Skeeter SX 170 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 3 gallons and 2 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and Skeeter SX 170 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Skeeter SL 180 2004 and the Skeeter SX 170 2007 are built by Skeeter. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Skeeter SL 180 2004 full specs ← Skeeter SX 170 2007 full specs