The Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 vs Triton Boats 20X3 Non-Skid 2009 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 173 Sport 2006 measures 17,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Triton Boats 20X3 Non-Skid 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats 20X3 Non-Skid 2009 tips the scales at 1 926 lbs — 1 833 lbs less than the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 at 93 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 250 hp, the Triton Boats 20X3 Non-Skid 2009 has a 170-hp advantage over the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006's 80-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 20X3 Non-Skid 2009 carries 53 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006. 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 20X3 Non-Skid 2009 is rated for 650 passengers, while the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 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 20X3 Non-Skid 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Triton Boats 20X3 Non-Skid 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 20X3 Non-Skid 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 650 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.