Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 boat specs
Triton Boats
Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009
2009
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VS
Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 boat specs
Triton Boats
Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006
2006
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Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 and 125 hp for the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 carries 37 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 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 Frontier 21 DC 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeTriton Boats
MakeTriton Boats
Model177 Explorer
ModelFrontier 21 DC
Model Year2009
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90 in
Beam90 in
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches9
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet21
Length - Inches7
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.36
Length overall - Meters6.4
Length overall - Inches211
Length overall - Inches252
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail26 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters66.04
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches26
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail1,380 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg625.96
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.138
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail70 in
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness100 ga
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max115 hp
Engine max125 hp
Operational Info
StorageRear Storage / Baitwell: 67 qt. (16 gal. BW) Front Storage Box: 360 qt
Storagenot available
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people8
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge80 ga

Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006?
The Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 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 Frontier 21 DC 2006 is rated to a maximum of 125 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats 177 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 177 Explorer 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 is certified for 8. 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.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 share an 90 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 or the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006?
The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 has the bigger tank at 37 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006. That 34-gallon difference translates to roughly 102–170 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2009 and the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 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.