When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Stanley Boats Pulsecraft 20 ft. Side Console 2010 and the Stanley Boats Tiller 17 ft. - Floor 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 Stanley Boats Tiller 17 ft. - Floor 2012 measures 17,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Stanley Boats Pulsecraft 20 ft. Side Console 2010 at 2,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Stanley Boats Pulsecraft 20 ft. Side Console 2010 tips the scales at 195 lbs — 187 lbs more than the Stanley Boats Tiller 17 ft. - Floor 2012 at 8 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 150 hp, the Stanley Boats Pulsecraft 20 ft. Side Console 2010 has a 100-hp advantage over the Stanley Boats Tiller 17 ft. - Floor 2012's 50-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 Stanley Boats Pulsecraft 20 ft. Side Console 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Stanley Boats Tiller 17 ft. - Floor 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stanley Boats Pulsecraft 20 ft. Side Console 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Stanley Boats Tiller 17 ft. - Floor 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Stanley Boats Pulsecraft 20 ft. Side Console 2010. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Stanley Boats Pulsecraft 20 ft. Side Console 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Stanley Boats Tiller 17 ft. - Floor 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.