Matching a modified vee Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2012 against a deep vee Yellowfin 36 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 36 2012 measures 36,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 19,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2012 at 17,3 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2012 tips the scales at 625 lbs — 530 lbs more than the Yellowfin 36 2012 at 95 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 1 400 hp, the Yellowfin 36 2012 has a 1 285-hp advantage over the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2012's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Yellowfin 36 2012 carries 51 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2012. 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 Yellowfin 36 2012 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Yellowfin 36 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Yellowfin 36 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 36,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.