Both the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010 and the Sundance K16FLX 2011 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, 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 - Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010 at 17,1 ft versus Sundance K16FLX 2011 at 15,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010 tips the scales at 860 lbs - 180 lbs more than the Sundance K16FLX 2011 at 680 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 60 hp for the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010 and 50 hp for the Sundance K16FLX 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 12 gal and 10 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sundance K16FLX 2011 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sundance K16FLX 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sundance K16FLX 2011 comes in at 14 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010. 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.