Matching a deep vee Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013 against a flat Triumph Boats 1700 Skiff 2009 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013 at 16,8 ft versus Triumph Boats 1700 Skiff 2009 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013 tips the scales at 1 122 lbs — 1 108 lbs more than the Triumph Boats 1700 Skiff 2009 at 14 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 Triumph Boats 1700 Skiff 2009 has a 30-hp advantage over the Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013's 60-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 Triumph Boats 1700 Skiff 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triumph Boats 1700 Skiff 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Triumph Boats 1700 Skiff 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 19 lbs per hp for the Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013. 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.