When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Vectra V-162 OB 2008 and the Vectra V172 I/O 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Vectra V-162 OB 2008 at 15,0 ft versus Vectra V172 I/O 2010 at 16,8 ft. At 142 lbs and 155 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The Vectra V172 I/O 2010 tops out at 220 hp. Engine specs for the Vectra V-162 OB 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 23 gal and 23 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Vectra V172 I/O 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Vectra V-162 OB 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Vectra V172 I/O 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Vectra V172 I/O 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 16,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Vectra V-162 OB 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.