Matching a modified vee Weld-Craft 60 - 70 in. Bottom V/UV Jon Boats 2013 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 173 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 173 2011 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 173 2011 tips the scales at 1 305 lbs — 820 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 115 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 173 2011 has a 50-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 173 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 173 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.