Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
VIP Bay Stealth 2030 BSVL Liner Vee Hull 2007 vs VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The VIP Bay Stealth 2030 BSVL Liner Vee Hull 2007 vs VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 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 115 hp, the VIP Bay Stealth 2030 BSVL Liner Vee Hull 2007 has a 25-hp advantage over the VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the VIP Bay Stealth 2030 BSVL Liner Vee Hull 2007 carries 46 gallons versus 2 gallons in the VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005. 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 VIP Bay Stealth 2030 BSVL Liner Vee Hull 2007 is rated for 7 passengers, while the VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the VIP Bay Stealth 2030 BSVL Liner Vee Hull 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the VIP Bay Stealth 2030 BSVL Liner Vee Hull 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The VIP Bay Stealth Competitor 173 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelBay Stealth 2030 BSVL Liner Vee Hull
ModelBay Stealth Competitor 173
Model Year2007
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches9
Deadrise10℃
Deadrise9℃
Weight - Detail1,747 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg792.43
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.1747
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches3
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters6.17
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Inches243
Length overall - Inches207
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal46
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max115-150 hp (200 hp for Sea Star motors less than 500 lbs.)
Engine max90 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard90 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people7 or 1,019 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailModel 8049TB tandem axle galvanized w/ disc brakes & 14 in. galvanized wheels
Trailer - DetailModel 7981SN Single Axle Galvanized Trailer w/14 in. Galvanized Wheels
Trailer - Height88 in. (98 in. w/ tall console)
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 6 in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - WeightTow Weight: 3,620 lbs
Trailer - Weightnot available