When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Yar-Craft 1785 BT 2006 and the Yar-Craft 1785 Side Console 2007 are modified vee designs with composite 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Yar-Craft 1785 BT 2006 at 17,0 ft versus Yar-Craft 1785 Side Console 2007 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Yar-Craft 1785 BT 2006 tips the scales at 1 375 lbs — 1 230 lbs more than the Yar-Craft 1785 Side Console 2007 at 145 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 150 hp, the Yar-Craft 1785 Side Console 2007 has a 75-hp advantage over the Yar-Craft 1785 BT 2006's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 36 gal and 36 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 5 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 Yar-Craft 1785 Side Console 2007 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 18 lbs per hp for the Yar-Craft 1785 BT 2006. 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.