Matching a modified vee Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 against a deep vee Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 171 Bay Explorer 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 at 17,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 tips the scales at 1 375 lbs — 1 180 lbs more than the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 at 195 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 171 Bay Explorer 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011's 90-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 177 Explorer 2011 carries 37 gallons versus 33 gallons in the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009. 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 177 Explorer 2011 is rated for 650 passengers, while the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 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 177 Explorer 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009. 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 177 Explorer 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 650 passengers and at 17,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.