Matching a flat Lund 1648 Jon 2013 against a modified vee Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lund 1648 Jon 2013 at 15,8 ft versus Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2011 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 1648 Jon 2013 tips the scales at 365 lbs — 242 lbs more than the Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2011 at 123 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 125 hp, the Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2011 has a 90-hp advantage over the Lund 1648 Jon 2013's 35-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 1725 Explorer SS 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lund 1648 Jon 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2011 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Lund 1648 Jon 2013. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lund 1648 Jon 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.