Matching a flat Xpress Recreational - 1546 2008 against a modified vee Xpress XP170 2013 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 — Xpress Recreational - 1546 2008 at 15,0 ft versus Xpress XP170 2013 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Xpress Recreational - 1546 2008 tips the scales at 316 lbs — 224 lbs more than the Xpress XP170 2013 at 92 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 70 hp, the Xpress XP170 2013 has a 45-hp advantage over the Xpress Recreational - 1546 2008's 25-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 XP170 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Xpress Recreational - 1546 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.