Matching a modified vee Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 against a pontoon Stabicraft 1750 Frontier 2011 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 — Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 at 17,2 ft versus Stabicraft 1750 Frontier 2011 at 17,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Stabicraft 1750 Frontier 2011 tips the scales at 1 818 lbs — 1 795 lbs less 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 and 90 hp for the Stabicraft 1750 Frontier 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Stabicraft 1750 Frontier 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Stabicraft 1720 Matt Watson Signature 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stabicraft 1750 Frontier 2011 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 20 lbs per hp for the Stabicraft 1750 Frontier 2011. 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.