The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2010 is a modified-V design and the Triton Boats DV 17 Liberty 2008 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2010 at 17,5 ft versus Triton Boats DV 17 Liberty 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats DV 17 Liberty 2008 tips the scales at 1 300 lbs - 214 lbs less than the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2010 at 1 086 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 125 hp, the Triton Boats DV 17 Liberty 2008 has a 75-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2010's 50-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Triton Boats DV 17 Liberty 2008 carries 33 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2010. 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 2010 is rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats DV 17 Liberty 2008 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 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Triton Boats DV 17 Liberty 2008 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 22 lbs per hp for the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2010. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 550 passengers and at 17,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats DV 17 Liberty 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.