Both the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2012 and the Sundance SV17 2013 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 2012 at 17,1 ft versus Sundance SV17 2013 at 17,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sundance SV17 2013 tips the scales at 1 250 lbs - 360 lbs less than the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2012 at 890 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 SV17 2013 has a 45-hp advantage over the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2012's 70-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 SV17 2013 carries 34 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2012. 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 SV17 2013 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sundance SV17 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sundance SV17 2013 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2012. 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.