The Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013 vs Triumph Boats 195 DC 2008 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013 measures 16,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 14,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Triumph Boats 195 DC 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013 tips the scales at 1 122 lbs — 1 120 lbs more than the Triumph Boats 195 DC 2008 at 2 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 150 hp, the Triumph Boats 195 DC 2008 has a 90-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013 carries 14 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Triumph Boats 195 DC 2008. 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 Triumph Boats 195 DC 2008 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 195 DC 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Triumph Boats 195 DC 2008 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Triumph Boats 195 DC 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triumph Boats 170 Sportsman TL 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.