Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats SF-188 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats SF-188 2009?

The Triton Boats SF-188 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Triton Boats SF-188 2009 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 tops out at 115 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Triton Boats SF-188 2009 is certified for 775. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Triton Boats SF-188 2009 measures 91" wide, compared to 88" for the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats SF-188 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 33 gallons and 31 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats SF-188 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 and the Triton Boats SF-188 2009 are built by Triton Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats SF-188 2009

Triton Boats

Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009

2009

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Triton Boats

Triton Boats SF-188 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats SF-188 2009 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 and the Triton Boats SF-188 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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 150 hp, the Triton Boats SF-188 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 33 gal and 31 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Triton Boats SF-188 2009 is rated for 775 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 SF-188 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats SF-188 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 775 passengers and at 18,0 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.

General Boat Info

MakeTriton Boats

Model171 Bay Explorer

ModelSF-188

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 4 in

Beam91 in

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches88

Beam - Inches91

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 0 in

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.52

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches6

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise15℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [max] - Detail10 in

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.25

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches1

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,375 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg623.69

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.1375

Weight - lbs.not available

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet18

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters5.21

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches205

Length overall - Inches216

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92

Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35

Fuel tank capacity - Gal33

Fuel tank capacity - Gal31

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max115 hp

Engine max150 hp

Operational Info

StorageBaitwell: 12 gal. Fish / Storage Boxes: 268 qt. total

StorageRear Storage/Baitwell: 84 qt. Front Storage Box: 282 qt. Rear Storage Boxes: 168 qt

Maximum people4 / 550 lbs

Maximum people775 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailw/Swing Tongue: 21 ft. 0 in. w/o Swing Tongue: 23 ft. 0 in

Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats SF-188 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats SF-188 2009?

The Triton Boats SF-188 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Triton Boats SF-188 2009 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 tops out at 115 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Triton Boats SF-188 2009 is certified for 775. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Triton Boats SF-188 2009 measures 91" wide, compared to 88" for the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats SF-188 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 33 gallons and 31 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats SF-188 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 and the Triton Boats SF-188 2009 are built by Triton Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Triton Boats 171 Bay Explorer 2009 full specs ← Triton Boats SF-188 2009 full specs