The Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2011 vs Triton Boats 220 FS Gold 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Triton Boats 220 FS Gold 2006 measures 22,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2011 at 17,5 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats 220 FS Gold 2006 tips the scales at 2 086 lbs — 1 000 lbs less than the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2011 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 115 hp, the Triton Boats 220 FS Gold 2006 has a 65-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2011's 50-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 2011 is rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats 220 FS Gold 2006 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Triton Boats 220 FS Gold 2006 comes in at 18 lbs per hp versus 22 lbs per hp for the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2011. 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.
The Triton Boats 220 FS Gold 2006 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 2011 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 2011 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 220 FS Gold 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.