When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Vectra S-200 OB 2007 and the Vectra V172 OB Fish-n-Ski 2010 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Vectra V172 OB Fish-n-Ski 2010 measures 16,8 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 14,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Vectra S-200 OB 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Vectra S-200 OB 2007 tips the scales at 2 315 lbs — 2 163 lbs more than the Vectra V172 OB Fish-n-Ski 2010 at 152 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Vectra S-200 OB 2007 and 135 hp for the Vectra V172 OB Fish-n-Ski 2010. 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 Vectra S-200 OB 2007 carries 51 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Vectra V172 OB Fish-n-Ski 2010. 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 Vectra S-200 OB 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Vectra V172 OB Fish-n-Ski 2010 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Vectra S-200 OB 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Vectra V172 OB Fish-n-Ski 2010 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 20 lbs per hp for the Vectra S-200 OB 2007. 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 Vectra S-200 OB 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Vectra V172 OB Fish-n-Ski 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.