Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 vs Lund U1860 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 or the Lund U1860 2005?

For trailering, the Lund U1860 2005 has the edge at 77 lbs dry weight versus 805 lbs for the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 2 passengers, while the Lund U1860 2005 is certified for 5. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 and Lund U1860 2005 share an 86 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 and Lund U1860 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 and the Lund U1860 2005 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 Tiller 2004 vs Lund U1860 2005

Lund

Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004

2004

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Lund

Lund U1860 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 vs Lund U1860 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 vs Lund U1860 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 50 hp for the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 and 50 hp for the Lund U1860 2005. 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lund U1860 2005 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 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 U1860 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lund U1860 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 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 Tiller

ModelU186

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam86 in

Beam86.5 in. (VE) 81 in. (VSE, VDSE, VDCE)

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters2.21

Beam - Inches86

Beam - Inches86.5

Weight - Detail805 lbs

Weight - Detail570 lbs. (VE) 770 lbs. (VSE, VDSE, VDCE)

Weight - kg365.14

Weight - kg349.27

Weight - lbs.805

Weight - lbs.77

Height [transom]20 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters5.03

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches198

Length overall - Inches216

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail21.5 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches21.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness.100 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. Built-in Tank

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Engine max50 hp

Engine max50 hp (VE) 90 hp (VSE, VDSE, VDCE)

Operational Info

Maximum people2

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,362 lbs. (VE) 1,312 lbs. (VSE, VDSE, VDCE)

Warranty Info

WarrantyLifetime Limited Warranty

Warrantynot available

Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 vs Lund U1860 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 or the Lund U1860 2005?

For trailering, the Lund U1860 2005 has the edge at 77 lbs dry weight versus 805 lbs for the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 2 passengers, while the Lund U1860 2005 is certified for 5. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 and Lund U1860 2005 share an 86 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 and Lund U1860 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lund 1600 Explorer Tiller 2004 and the Lund U1860 2005 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 Tiller 2004 full specs ← Lund U1860 2005 full specs