Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 vs Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 or the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009?

The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 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 176 Magnum 2005 is rated to a maximum of 125 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 tops out at 90 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 176 Magnum 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 is certified for 4. 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 176 Magnum 2005 measures 85" wide, compared to 79" for the Triton Boats Ambush 18 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 or the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009?

The Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 and Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 and the Triton Boats Ambush 18 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 176 Magnum 2005 vs Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009

Triton Boats

Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005

2005

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Triton Boats

Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 vs Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 vs Triton Boats Ambush 18 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 125 hp, the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 has a 35-hp advantage over the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009's 90-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 27 gal and 24 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 4 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 and its 125-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 with its 90-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeTriton Boats

Model176 Magnum

ModelAmbush 18

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam85 in.

Beam79 in.

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Meters2.01

Beam - Inches85

Beam - Inches79

Depth - DetailSide: 24 in.

Depth - Detail22 in.

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Inches24

Depth - Inches22

Weight - Detail1,210 lbs.

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg548.85

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.1210

Weight - lbs.not available

Height [transom]22 in.

Height [transom]20 in.

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet18

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Meters5.33

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches210

Length overall - Inches192

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail61 in.

Body / Hull

Hull thickness0.1

Hull thickness0.100 in.

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Engine max125 hp

Engine max90 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs.

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people4

Maximum people4 / 600 lbs.

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailStandard

Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 vs Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 or the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009?

The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 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 176 Magnum 2005 is rated to a maximum of 125 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 tops out at 90 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 176 Magnum 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 is certified for 4. 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 176 Magnum 2005 measures 85" wide, compared to 79" for the Triton Boats Ambush 18 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 or the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009?

The Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 and Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Triton Boats 176 Magnum 2005 and the Triton Boats Ambush 18 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 176 Magnum 2005 full specs ← Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 full specs