Both the Starcraft Marine 170 2009 and the Starcraft Marine 2050 2009 are modified-V designs, both built in aluminium, so 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Starcraft Marine 170 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Starcraft Marine 2050 2009 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine 2050 2009 tips the scales at 1 734 lbs - 461 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine 170 2009 at 1 273 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 250 hp, the Starcraft Marine 2050 2009 has a 100-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 170 2009's 150-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Starcraft Marine 2050 2009 carries 52 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Starcraft Marine 170 2009. 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 Starcraft Marine 170 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine 2050 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine 170 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine 170 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine 2050 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.