Skeeter SL 180 2009 vs Skeeter SX 170 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Skeeter SL 180 2009 or the Skeeter SX 170 2004?

For trailering, the Skeeter SX 170 2004 has the edge at 1 190 lbs dry weight versus 1 380 lbs for the Skeeter SL 180 2009. 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 SL 180 2009 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter SX 170 2004 tops out at 115 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter SX 170 2004 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 2009 measures 89" wide, compared to 82" for the Skeeter SX 170 2004. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Skeeter SL 180 2009 or the Skeeter SX 170 2004?

The Skeeter SL 180 2009 has the bigger tank at 30 gallons, versus 20 gallons on the Skeeter SX 170 2004. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Skeeter SL 180 2009 and Skeeter SX 170 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Skeeter SL 180 2009 and the Skeeter SX 170 2004 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 2009 vs Skeeter SX 170 2004

Skeeter

Skeeter SL 180 2009

2009

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Skeeter

Skeeter SX 170 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Skeeter SL 180 2009 vs Skeeter SX 170 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Skeeter SL 180 2009 vs Skeeter SX 170 2004 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 150 hp, the Skeeter SL 180 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Skeeter SX 170 2004's 115-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Skeeter SL 180 2009 carries 30 gallons versus 20 gallons in the Skeeter SX 170 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Skeeter SL 180 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter SX 170 2004 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 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Skeeter SL 180 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Skeeter SX 170 2004 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 180

ModelSX 170

Model Year2009

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam89 in.

Beam82 in.

Beam - Meters2.26

Beam - Meters2.08

Beam - Inches89

Beam - Inches82

Depth - Detail21.5 in.

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches21.5

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail13 in.

Draft [max] - Detail12 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.33

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Inches13

Draft [max] - Inches12

Weight - Detail1,380 lbs.

Weight - Detail1190 lbs.

Weight - kg625.96

Weight - kg539.77

Weight - lbs.1380

Weight - lbs.1190

Length - Feet17

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in.

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 8 in.

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Meters5.08

Length overall - Inches212

Length overall - Inches200

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail46 in.

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.17

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches46

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in.

Body / Hull

Hull materialComposite

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

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 - Gal30

Fuel tank capacity - Gal20

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp

Engine max115

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs.

Maximum capacity1100 lbs.

Maximum people5 or 737 lbs.

Maximum people3 Persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Height71 in.

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 9 in. 18 ft. 11 in. with swing-away tongue

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Width98 in.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Skeeter SL 180 2009 vs Skeeter SX 170 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Skeeter SL 180 2009 or the Skeeter SX 170 2004?

For trailering, the Skeeter SX 170 2004 has the edge at 1 190 lbs dry weight versus 1 380 lbs for the Skeeter SL 180 2009. 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 SL 180 2009 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Skeeter SX 170 2004 tops out at 115 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Skeeter SX 170 2004 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 2009 measures 89" wide, compared to 82" for the Skeeter SX 170 2004. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Skeeter SL 180 2009 or the Skeeter SX 170 2004?

The Skeeter SL 180 2009 has the bigger tank at 30 gallons, versus 20 gallons on the Skeeter SX 170 2004. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Skeeter SL 180 2009 and Skeeter SX 170 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Skeeter SL 180 2009 and the Skeeter SX 170 2004 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 2009 full specs ← Skeeter SX 170 2004 full specs