Matching a modified vee Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 against a deep vee Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2010 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 and 90 hp for the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2010. 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 Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2010 carries 37 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 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 Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2010 is rated for 650 passengers, while the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 caps at 550. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 650 passengers and at 17,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 550 that costs less to run day-to-day.