When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2013 and the Sundance SV171 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 2013 at 17,1 ft versus Sundance SV171 2009 at 17,1 ft. At 89 lbs and 143 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 70 hp for the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2013 and 90 hp for the Sundance SV171 2009. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sundance SV171 2009 carries 34 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2013. 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 SV171 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Sundance FX17 Flicker 2013 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sundance SV171 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sundance FX17 Flicker 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the Sundance SV171 2009. 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.