When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Sundance F17FLX 2008 and the Sundance NX23 2012 are modified vee designs with fiberglass 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 Sundance NX23 2012 measures 23,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sundance F17FLX 2008 at 16,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sundance NX23 2012 tips the scales at 2 475 lbs — 1 430 lbs less than the Sundance F17FLX 2008 at 1 045 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 Sundance NX23 2012 has a 175-hp advantage over the Sundance F17FLX 2008's 75-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 NX23 2012 carries 72 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Sundance F17FLX 2008. 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 NX23 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Sundance F17FLX 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sundance NX23 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sundance NX23 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 23,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sundance F17FLX 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.