Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 boat specs
Triton Boats
Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011
2011
View full specs →
VS
Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 boat specs
Triton Boats
Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012
2012
View full specs →

Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 vs Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 against a modified vee Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 measures 17,6 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 at 13,9 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 tips the scales at 377 lbs — 182 lbs less than the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 at 195 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 90 hp, the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 has a 75-hp advantage over the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 is rated for 650 passengers, while the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 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 177 Explorer 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 25 lbs per hp for the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012. 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 177 Explorer 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 650 passengers and at 17,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 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
ModelAV147W SUV
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90 in
Beam67 in. (1.7 m)
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters1.7
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches67
Weight - Detail1,950 lbs
Weight - Detail377 lbs. (171 kg)
Weight - kg884.5
Weight - kg171
Weight - lbs.195
Weight - lbs.377
Length - Feet17.58
Length - Feet13.92
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Detail13 ft. 11 in. (4.24 m)
Length overall - Meters5.36
Length overall - Meters4.24
Length overall - Inches211
Length overall - Inches167
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail27 in. (0.69 m) bow
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.69
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches27
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepower90 - 150 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine maxnot available
Engine max15 hp (11 kW) tiller 25 hp (19 kW) remote
Operational Info
StorageRear Storage / Baitwell: 67 qt., 16 gal. BW Front Storage Box: 360 qt. Livewell: 35 gal
Storagenot available
Maximum people650 lbs
Maximum people5 / 640 lbs. (290 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,058 lbs. (480 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. with swing tongue 22 ft. without swing tongue
Trailer - Length over all19 ft. (5.79 m)

Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 vs Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 or the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012?
The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 is the longer of the two at 17,6 feet overall. The Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 comes in at 13,9 feet, making it roughly 3,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 or the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012?
For trailering, the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 has the edge at 195 lbs dry weight versus 377 lbs for the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 tops out at 15 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 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 650 passengers, while the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 is certified for 5. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 2 lbs per hp compared to 25 lbs per hp for the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 measures 67" wide, compared to 9" for the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011. 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.
Are the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 and Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Triton Boats 177 Explorer 2011 and the Triton Boats AV147W SUV 2012 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.