Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 48 - 56 in. Bottom V Jon Boats 2013 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 173 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 measures 17,3 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Weld-Craft 48 - 56 in. Bottom V Jon Boats 2013 at 14,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 tips the scales at 1 305 lbs — 1 269 lbs less than the Weld-Craft 48 - 56 in. Bottom V Jon Boats 2013 at 36 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 115 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 has a 85-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft 48 - 56 in. Bottom V Jon Boats 2013's 30-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 Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Weld-Craft 48 - 56 in. Bottom V Jon Boats 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Weld-Craft 48 - 56 in. Bottom V Jon Boats 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Weldcraft Marine 173 2009. 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.