The Sundance 171 Bay 2006 vs Sundance NX19 2013 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sundance 171 Bay 2006 at 17,0 ft versus Sundance NX19 2013 at 18,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sundance NX19 2013 tips the scales at 1 475 lbs — 1 326 lbs less than the Sundance 171 Bay 2006 at 149 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 115 hp, the Sundance NX19 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the Sundance 171 Bay 2006's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sundance 171 Bay 2006 carries 34 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Sundance NX19 2013. 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 Sundance NX19 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Sundance 171 Bay 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sundance NX19 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sundance NX19 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sundance 171 Bay 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.