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2007 Cutter XLE 173 Photos
2007 Cutter XLE 173 Test Details
| Category | Bowrider |
| Length | 16ft 4in / 4.88 m |
| Dealers | Contact Cutter Boats Dealers |
| Buyers Guides | Search For Cutter Boats Buyers Guides |
| Boats For Sale | Search For Cutter Boats For Sale |
2007 Cutter XLE 173 Description
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If you're in the market for a sensibly sized family
boat that can be trailered, stored or handled
easily by family members but still delivers
the goods for an afternoon of cruising and
wakesports, Cutter has a boat for you.
The 173 model is a 16 foot, 4 inch bowrider
with a 7 foot, 2 inch beam that is designed and
made in Canada to deliver the features people are
looking for in a cottage runabout. Our test boat
was equipped with a four-stroke Suzuki 70,
which I thought was a great match.
The Cutter XLE 173 was equipped with a
Bimini top in a Sunbrella-type material - a desirable
option. It covers most of the interior, but
you'll find it easier to board using the fibreglass
step in the bow. The bow area has moulded in
seats and a fibreglass floor. Cutter uses handholds,
drink holders and storage under the inward-facing
seats that are big enough for adults but bestsuited
for children.
The curved glass windshield on the XLE 173
looks swept back. However, thanks to the lowmounted
helm and companion seats, you look
through the middle of the windshield as you
should - a very good feature.
The helm on the 173 has the Suzuki control
mounted conveniently on the side. The tilt steering
wheel, positioned all the way up, was exactly
where I wanted it, but tilting the wheel down
seemed to make it too low. Otherwise, the dashboard
includes a wood panel with tach,
speedometer, fuel gauge and volt meter. The seats
slide for adjustment and there's lots of leg room,
but I would have liked a foot brace.
On the companion side is a drained, lockable
glove box and stereo behind a glass door that will
help ward off the rain. The cockpit sole is fibreglass,
making it durable and easy to care for.
There is storage for large items like skis and paddles
in the side panels and underfloor ski locker,
and more storage in the aft bench seat.
The aft decking sweeps down at the stern and
there is a small boarding ladder for swimming or
retrieving a fallen skier. Rigged with a 70 hp
Suzuki four-stroke, you can certainly do some
family wakesports.
Underway, steering was stiff enough to safely
hold a course at speed. The Cutter XLE 173
had a sporty and exciting ride I also felt would
be smooth and safe even at full speed. The boat
really responds when you trim the Suzuki up or
down, lifting or burying its nose as required.
You can lift the bow for high-speed running or,
to add comfort on a rough day, push the nose
down to make more of the Vee hull work to
smooth the waves. Equipped with 70 hp, I
found I could load the engine up at 3000 rpm,
lift the trim a little and create a pretty good
wakeboard wake without the Cutter trying to
plane off and run faster.
Of course, it does run faster as you adjust
the trim or add more throttle. At slalom speeds
in the high 20s to low 30s, the Cutter has a very
small wake, but just getting out and having
some fun we recorded a top speed of 38.2 mph
at 6000 rpm - impressively good performance
for 70 hp pushing a boat with this kind of
accommodations.
2007 Cutter XLE 173 Test Specifications
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Test boat engine: Suzuki DF 70, inline 4-cylinder
four-stroke, 1298 cc / 79.2 ci, multipoint
EFI, three blade 17" prop.
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