The Xpress HDPF Series - HD17PFC 2008 is a modified-V design and the Xpress Livewell - 1650LW 2008 is a flat-bottom design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 - Xpress HDPF Series - HD17PFC 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Xpress Livewell - 1650LW 2008 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Xpress HDPF Series - HD17PFC 2008 tips the scales at 888 lbs - 504 lbs more than the Xpress Livewell - 1650LW 2008 at 384 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 Xpress HDPF Series - HD17PFC 2008 has a 60-hp advantage over the Xpress Livewell - 1650LW 2008's 30-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 4 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Xpress HDPF Series - HD17PFC 2008 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Xpress Livewell - 1650LW 2008. 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Xpress HDPF Series - HD17PFC 2008 and its 90-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Xpress Livewell - 1650LW 2008 with its 30-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.