Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 boat specs
Fisher
Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003
2003
View full specs →
VS
Fisher 1700 2005 boat specs
Fisher
Fisher 1700 2005
2005
View full specs →

Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 vs Fisher 1700 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 vs Fisher 1700 2005 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 75 hp, the Fisher 1700 2005 has a 50-hp advantage over the Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fisher 1700 2005 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fisher 1700 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Fisher 1700 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeFisher
MakeFisher
Model1548 AW S All Welded Jon
Model17
Model Year2003
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam67 in. Bottom Width: 48 in
Beam78 in
Beam - Meters1.7
Beam - Meters1.98
Beam - Inches67
Beam - Inches78
Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Weight - DetailApprox. 380 lbs
Weight - Detail938 lbs
Weight - kg172.36
Weight - kg425.47
Weight - lbs.38
Weight - lbs.938
Height - Detailn/a
Height - Detailnot available
Height [transom]16 in
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters4.62
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Inches182
Length overall - Inches207
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail54 in
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detailn/a
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal
Engine max25 hp
Engine max75 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Water capacityn/a
Water capacitynot available
Maximum capacity725 lbs
Maximum capacity975 lbs
Maximum people3 person
Maximum people4
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailn/a
Trailer - Detailnot available

Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 vs Fisher 1700 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 or the Fisher 1700 2005?
For trailering, the Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 has the edge at 38 lbs dry weight versus 938 lbs for the Fisher 1700 2005. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Fisher 1700 2005 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 tops out at 25 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 Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Fisher 1700 2005 is certified for 4. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Fisher 1700 2005 measures 78" wide, compared to 67" for the Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 and Fisher 1700 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Fisher 1548 AW S All Welded Jon 2003 and the Fisher 1700 2005 are built by Fisher. 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.