When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund 1600 Alaskan SS 2011 and the Lund 1852MT 2010 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lund 1600 Alaskan SS 2011 at 16,8 ft versus Lund 1852MT 2010 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 1600 Alaskan SS 2011 tips the scales at 915 lbs — 440 lbs more than the Lund 1852MT 2010 at 475 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the Lund 1600 Alaskan SS 2011 has a 30-hp advantage over the Lund 1852MT 2010's 45-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 Lund 1852MT 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lund 1600 Alaskan SS 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund 1852MT 2010 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lund 1852MT 2010 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Lund 1600 Alaskan SS 2011. 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.