The Starcraft Marine 1686 2008 is a flat-bottom design and the Starcraft Marine 179 Pro V 2010 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 - Starcraft Marine 1686 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Starcraft Marine 179 Pro V 2010 at 17,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine 179 Pro V 2010 tips the scales at 1 075 lbs - 251 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine 1686 2008 at 824 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 Starcraft Marine 179 Pro V 2010 has a 45-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 1686 2008's 45-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 19 gal and 21 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine 1686 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine 179 Pro V 2010 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine 1686 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine 179 Pro V 2010 comes in at 12 lbs per hp versus 18 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine 1686 2008. 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.