Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 vs Fisher 1700 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 or the Fisher 1700 2003?

For trailering, the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 has the edge at 445 lbs dry weight versus 938 lbs for the Fisher 1700 2003. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Fisher 1700 2003 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 tops out at 50 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Fisher 1700 2003 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Fisher 1700 2003 measures 78" wide, compared to 76" for the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005. 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.

Q: Are the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 and Fisher 1700 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 and the Fisher 1700 2003 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.

Boat Comparison

Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 vs Fisher 1700 2003

Fisher

Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005

2005

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Fisher

Fisher 1700 2003

2003

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 vs Fisher 1700 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 vs Fisher 1700 2003 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 2003 has a 25-hp advantage over the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005's 50-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 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Fisher 1700 2003 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fisher 1700 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFisher

Model1654 L All Welded Jon

Model17

Model Year2005

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam76 in. Bottom Width: 54 in

Beam78 in

Beam - Meters1.93

Beam - Meters1.98

Beam - Inches76

Beam - Inches78

Weight - Detail445 lbs

Weight - Detail938 lbs

Weight - kg201.85

Weight - kg425.47

Weight - lbs.445

Weight - lbs.938

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3.5 in

Length overall - Meters4.98

Length overall - Meters5.28

Length overall - Inches196

Length overall - Inches207.5

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detailn/a

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max50 hp

Engine max75 HP

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,238 lbs

Maximum capacity975 lbs

Maximum people5

Maximum people4 person

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailSee additional features above

Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 vs Fisher 1700 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 or the Fisher 1700 2003?

For trailering, the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 has the edge at 445 lbs dry weight versus 938 lbs for the Fisher 1700 2003. 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 2003 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 tops out at 50 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 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Fisher 1700 2003 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 2003 measures 78" wide, compared to 76" for the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005. 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 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 and Fisher 1700 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 and the Fisher 1700 2003 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.

← Fisher 1654 L All Welded Jon 2005 full specs ← Fisher 1700 2003 full specs