Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 vs Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 or the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006?

For trailering, the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 has the edge at 86 lbs dry weight versus 1 285 lbs for the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006. 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 Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 tops out at 75 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 Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 2 passengers, while the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 is certified for 6. 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 Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 measures 96" wide, compared to 86" for the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 or the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006?

The Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 has the bigger tank at 32 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 and Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 and the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 are built by Lund. 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

Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 vs Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006

Lund

Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004

2004

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Lund

Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 vs Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 vs Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 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 150 hp, the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 carries 32 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLund

Model1600 Explorer SS

Model1800 Explorer Sport

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam86 in

Beam96 in. Stern: 95 in

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches86

Beam - Inches96

Weight - Detail860 lbs

Weight - Detail1,285 lbs

Weight - kg390.09

Weight - kg582.87

Weight - lbs.86

Weight - lbs.1285

Height [transom]20 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Meters5.03

Length overall - Meters5.51

Length overall - Inches198

Length overall - Inches217

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailAmidship: 36.5 in. Bow: 42 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters106.68

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches42

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessFreeboard: .063 in. Bottom: .080 in. Twin Hull Plate: .080 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. Built-in Tank

Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal. built-in tank

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Engine max75 hp

Engine max150 hp

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people2

Maximum people6

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs

Warranty Info

WarrantyLifetime Limited Warranty

Warrantynot available

Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 vs Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 or the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006?

For trailering, the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 has the edge at 86 lbs dry weight versus 1 285 lbs for the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006. 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 Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 tops out at 75 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 Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 2 passengers, while the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 is certified for 6. 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 Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 measures 96" wide, compared to 86" for the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 or the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006?

The Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 has the bigger tank at 32 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 and Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 and the Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 are built by Lund. 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.

← Lund 1600 Explorer SS 2004 full specs ← Lund 1800 Explorer Sport 2006 full specs