Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 or the Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005?

The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 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 Ambush 18 2009 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 tops out at 60 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 Ambush 18 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 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 Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 measures 81" 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 24 gallons and 24 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 and the Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 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 Ambush 18 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005

Triton Boats

Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009

2009

View full specs →

Triton Boats

Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 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 90 hp, the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 has a 30-hp advantage over the Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 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 Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 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

ModelAmbush 18

ModelFrontier 17 Deep V

Model Year2009

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam79 in

Beam81 in

Beam - Meters2.01

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Inches79

Beam - Inches81

Depth - Detail22 in

Depth - DetailSide Depth: 20 in

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Centimeters50.8

Depth - Inches22

Depth - Inches2

Width [transom] - Detail61 in

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet17

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Inches192

Length overall - Inches204

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail850 lbs

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg385.55

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.85

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thickness0.100 in

Hull thicknessSide: .080 Bottom: .1

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max90 hp

Engine max60 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people4 / 600 lbs

Maximum people6

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,350 lbs

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailStandard

Trailer - Detailnot available

Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 vs Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 or the Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005?

The Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 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 Ambush 18 2009 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 tops out at 60 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 Ambush 18 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 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 Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 measures 81" 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 24 gallons and 24 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 and Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Triton Boats Ambush 18 2009 and the Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 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 Ambush 18 2009 full specs ← Triton Boats Frontier 17 Deep V 2005 full specs