Matching a modified vee Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2011 against a deep vee Yellowfin 23 2012 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Yellowfin 23 2012 measures 24,9 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2011 at 17,3 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2011 tips the scales at 625 lbs — 587 lbs more than the Yellowfin 23 2012 at 38 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 350 hp, the Yellowfin 23 2012 has a 235-hp advantage over the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2011's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 18 gal and 16 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Yellowfin 23 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Yellowfin 23 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Yellowfin 23 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 24,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.