Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 vs Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 or the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009?

The Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 tops out at 80 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 173 Sport 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 is certified for 6. 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 21X3 DC & SC 2009 measures 95" wide, compared to 75" for the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 or the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009?

The Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 and Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 and the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 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 173 Sport 2006 vs Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009

Triton Boats

Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006

2006

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Triton Boats

Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 vs Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 vs Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 has a 220-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 21X3 DC & SC 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 21X3 DC & SC 2009 is rated for 6 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 21X3 DC & SC 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,0 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.

General Boat Info

MakeTriton Boats

Model173 Sport

Model21X3 DC & SC

Model Year2006

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam75 in

Beam95 in

Beam - Meters1.91

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Inches75

Beam - Inches95

Depth - Detail21 in

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches21

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail930 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg421.84

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.93

Weight - lbs.not available

Width [transom] - Detail53 in

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet21

Length - Inches1

Length - Inches7

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters5.21

Length overall - Meters6.58

Length overall - Inches205

Length overall - Inches259

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

Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14

Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max80 hp

Engine max300 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum people4

Maximum peoplenot available

Storagenot available

StorageLivewell Capacity: 42.5 gal. Rear Storage / Baitwell: 84 qt

Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 vs Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 or the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009?

The Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 tops out at 80 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 173 Sport 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 is certified for 6. 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 21X3 DC & SC 2009 measures 95" wide, compared to 75" for the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 or the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009?

The Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 and Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Triton Boats 173 Sport 2006 and the Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 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 173 Sport 2006 full specs ← Triton Boats 21X3 DC & SC 2009 full specs