When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Xpress Xclusive Catfish X24 2010 and the Xpress XP170 2013 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Xpress Xclusive Catfish X24 2010 measures 24,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Xpress XP170 2013 at 17,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Xpress Xclusive Catfish X24 2010 tips the scales at 2 112 lbs — 2 020 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 250 hp, the Xpress Xclusive Catfish X24 2010 has a 180-hp advantage over the Xpress XP170 2013's 70-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Xpress XP170 2013 carries 18 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Xpress Xclusive Catfish X24 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Xpress Xclusive Catfish X24 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Xpress XP170 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Xpress Xclusive Catfish X24 2010 could be the deciding factor.