When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Stabicraft 1410 Frontier 2013 and the Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 are modified 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 measures 17,2 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Stabicraft 1410 Frontier 2013 at 14,1 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Stabicraft 1410 Frontier 2013 tips the scales at 1 015 lbs — 992 lbs more than the Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 at 23 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 90 hp, the Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Stabicraft 1410 Frontier 2013's 40-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 Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Stabicraft 1410 Frontier 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 25 lbs per hp for the Stabicraft 1410 Frontier 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.