Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006?

The Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 tops out at 60 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 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 17 Explorer 2009 measures 86" wide, compared to 81" for the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 26 gallons and 24 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 and the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 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 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006

Triton Boats

Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009

2009

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Triton Boats

Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 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 90 hp, the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 has a 30-hp advantage over the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006's 60-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 24 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 2009 is rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 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 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 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 Frontier 17 T 2006 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

ModelFrontier 17 T

Model Year2009

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam86 in.

Beam81 in.

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Inches86

Beam - Inches81

Length - Feet17

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Inches210

Length overall - Inches204

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail24 in.

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches24

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail850 lbs.

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg385.55

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.850

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail63.5 in.

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in.

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness100 ga.

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal26

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max90 hp

Engine max60 hp

Operational Info

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

Storagenot available

Maximum people550 lbs.

Maximum people6

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube gaugenot available

Tube gauge80 ga.

Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006?

The Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 tops out at 60 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 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 17 Explorer 2009 measures 86" wide, compared to 81" for the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 26 gallons and 24 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2009 and the Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 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 2009 full specs ← Triton Boats Frontier 17 T 2006 full specs