The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 vs Triton Boats 220 Gold 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Triton Boats 220 Gold 2005 has a 25-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008's 90-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 26 gal and 26 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 is rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats 220 Gold 2005 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 could be the deciding factor.
The Triton Boats 220 Gold 2005 is an inflatable design - lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 550 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats 220 Gold 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.