Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 60 - 70 in. Bottom V/UV Jon Boats 2013 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 17 Angler SE 2011 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Weld-Craft 60 - 70 in. Bottom V/UV Jon Boats 2013 at 16,0 ft versus Weldcraft Marine 17 Angler SE 2011 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 17 Angler SE 2011 tips the scales at 975 lbs — 490 lbs less than the Weld-Craft 60 - 70 in. Bottom V/UV Jon Boats 2013 at 485 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 90 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 17 Angler SE 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft 60 - 70 in. Bottom V/UV Jon Boats 2013's 65-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 Weld-Craft 60 - 70 in. Bottom V/UV Jon Boats 2013 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 17 Angler SE 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weld-Craft 60 - 70 in. Bottom V/UV Jon Boats 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Weld-Craft 60 - 70 in. Bottom V/UV Jon Boats 2013 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Weldcraft Marine 17 Angler SE 2011. 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 Weld-Craft 60 - 70 in. Bottom V/UV Jon Boats 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Weldcraft Marine 17 Angler SE 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.