When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010 and the Sundance SV186 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010 at 17,1 ft versus Sundance SV186 2009 at 18,1 ft. At 86 lbs and 157 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Sundance SV186 2009 has a 30-hp advantage over the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010's 60-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 FX17 Flicker 2010 carries 12 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Sundance SV186 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 Sundance SV186 2009 is rated for 5 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 SV186 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sundance SV186 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sundance FX17 Flicker 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.