When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Sundance F17T 2013 and the Sundance SV205 2009 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 SV205 2009 measures 20,4 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 3,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sundance F17T 2013 at 16,8 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sundance F17T 2013 tips the scales at 845 lbs — 660 lbs more than the Sundance SV205 2009 at 185 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 Sundance SV205 2009 has a 80-hp advantage over the Sundance F17T 2013's 70-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 Sundance SV205 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Sundance F17T 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sundance SV205 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sundance SV205 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sundance F17T 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.