Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Triton Boats 170 DS SC 2006 vs Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Triton Boats 170 DS SC 2006 vs Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 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 238 Bay Explorer 2010 measures 23,7 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 6,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Triton Boats 170 DS SC 2006 at 17,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 tips the scales at 2 400 lbs - 1 550 lbs less than the Triton Boats 170 DS SC 2006 at 850 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 200 hp, the Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 has a 110-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 170 DS SC 2006's 90-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Triton Boats 170 DS SC 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 238 Bay Explorer 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 238 Bay Explorer 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 23,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats 170 DS SC 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.
General Boat Info
MakeTriton Boats
MakeTriton Boats
Model170 DS SC
Model238 Bay Explorer
Model Year2006
Model Year2010
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam78 in.
Beam8 ft. 6 in.
Beam - Meters1.98
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches78
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail850 lbs.
Weight - Detail2,400 lbs.
Weight - kg385.55
Weight - kg1088.62
Weight - lbs.850
Weight - lbs.2400
Width [transom] - Detail70 in.
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in.
Height [transom]25 in.
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet23.67
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in.
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 8 in.
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Meters7.21
Length overall - Inches204
Length overall - Inches284
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in.
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise15℃
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail12 in.
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.3
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches12
Body / Hull
Hull thickness100 ga.
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube gauge100 ga.
Tube gaugenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp
Engine maxnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail86 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters325.55
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal86
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower200 - 250
Operational Info
Maximum people5
Maximum people9 / 1,300 lbs.
Storagenot available
StorageBaitwells: 15 & 28 gal. Fish / Storage Boxes: 281 qt. total Ice Chest: 94 qt.