When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund 1648M 2008 and the Lund 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 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 1648M 2008 at 15,0 ft versus Lund 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 tips the scales at 1 035 lbs — 993 lbs less than the Lund 1648M 2008 at 42 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 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 has a 40-hp advantage over the Lund 1648M 2008'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 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lund 1648M 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lund 1648M 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the Lund 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007. 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.