Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 vs Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 or the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005?

The Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 has a documented max rating of 90 hp. Engine specifications for the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 measures 94" wide, compared to 86" for the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 or the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005?

The Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008. That 28-gallon difference translates to roughly 84–140 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 and Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 and the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 are built by Triton Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 vs Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005

Triton Boats

Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008

2008

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Triton Boats

Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 vs Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 vs Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 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 Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 carries a rated maximum of 90 hp. Engine data for the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 carries 54 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008. 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 Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 is rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 caps at 6. 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.

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 TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeTriton Boats

Model17 Explorer

ModelTR-21XD PD/PDC

Model Year2008

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam86 in.

Beam94 in.

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches86

Beam - Inches94

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet21

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Inches210

Length overall - Inches252

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail1,750 lbs.

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg793.79

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.1750

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Gal26

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max90 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

StorageRear Storage Boxes: 150 qt. Front Storage Box: 300 qt.

Storagenot available

Maximum people550 lbs.

Maximum people6

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity775 lbs.

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allBoat, Motor and Trailer (without Retractable Tongue): 25 ft. 2 in. With Retractable Tongue: 23 ft. 5 in.

Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 vs Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 or the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005?

The Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 has a documented max rating of 90 hp. Engine specifications for the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 measures 94" wide, compared to 86" for the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 or the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005?

The Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008. That 28-gallon difference translates to roughly 84–140 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 and Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 and the Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 are built by Triton Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2008 full specs ← Triton Boats TR-21XD PD/PDC 2005 full specs