When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund 1625 XL 2012 and the Lund 1710 Predator SS 2009 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 1625 XL 2012 at 16,3 ft versus Lund 1710 Predator SS 2009 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 1710 Predator SS 2009 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 120 lbs less than the Lund 1625 XL 2012 at 775 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 90 hp, the Lund 1710 Predator SS 2009 has a 30-hp advantage over the Lund 1625 XL 2012's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 19 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 Lund 1710 Predator SS 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lund 1625 XL 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund 1710 Predator SS 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lund 1710 Predator SS 2009 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Lund 1625 XL 2012. 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.