Both the Triton Boats 17 Explorer 2011 and the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 are modified-V designs, the first built in fibreglass and the second in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 has a 40-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 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 2011 is rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 caps at 4. 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.