The Triton Boats 17 Pro Series 2013 vs Triton Boats TR-165 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Triton Boats 17 Pro Series 2013 at 17,5 ft versus Triton Boats TR-165 2006 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats 17 Pro Series 2013 tips the scales at 1 086 lbs — 961 lbs more than the Triton Boats TR-165 2006 at 125 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 90 hp, the Triton Boats TR-165 2006 has a 40-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 17 Pro Series 2013'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 Pro Series 2013 is rated for 550 passengers, while the Triton Boats TR-165 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats 17 Pro Series 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Triton Boats TR-165 2006 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 22 lbs per hp for the Triton Boats 17 Pro Series 2013. 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 Pro Series 2013 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 TR-165 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.