The Fisher 1700 2005 vs Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2007 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Fisher 1700 2005 at 17,0 ft versus Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2007 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fisher 1700 2005 tips the scales at 938 lbs — 786 lbs more than the Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2007 at 152 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 75 hp for the Fisher 1700 2005 and 75 hp for the Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2007. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 18 gal and 19 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2007 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Fisher 1700 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2007 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Fisher 1700 2005. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
The Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2007 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Fisher 1700 2005 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Fisher Liberty 180 Fish 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fisher 1700 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.