Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 boat specs
Yellowfin
Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015
2015
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VS
Yellowfin 42 2012 boat specs
Yellowfin
Yellowfin 42 2012
2012
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Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 vs Yellowfin 42 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 vs Yellowfin 42 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 1 400 hp, the Yellowfin 42 2012 has a 1 285-hp advantage over the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015'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 17 Skiff 2015 carries 22 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Yellowfin 42 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 42 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Yellowfin 42 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Yellowfin 42 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 42,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail17.00 ft
Length overall - Detail42 ft. 0 in
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet42
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Meters12.8
Length overall - Inches204
Length overall - Inches504
Beamnot available
Beam12 ft. 0 in
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters3.66
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches144
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail22 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.56
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches22
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal22
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28
Fuel tank capacity - Liters2271.25
Engine makeYAMAHA
Engine makenot available
Horsepower115 hp
Horsepowernot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard - Triple
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines4
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail600 gal
Engine maxnot available
Engine max1,400 hp
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity2
Storagenot available
StorageLivewell: 80 gal. Fish box: 530 qt
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity82 gal
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeYellowfin
Modelnot available
Model42
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2012
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 vs Yellowfin 42 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 or the Yellowfin 42 2012?
The Yellowfin 42 2012 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 25,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Yellowfin 42 2012 is rated to a maximum of 1 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 tops out at 115 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Yellowfin 42 2012 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 or the Yellowfin 42 2012?
The Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 has the bigger tank at 22 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Yellowfin 42 2012. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 and Yellowfin 42 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Yellowfin 17 Skiff 2015 and the Yellowfin 42 2012 are built by Yellowfin. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.