Both the Lund 1700 Explorer SS 2006 and the Lund 1700 Pro Sport OB 2005 are modified-V designs, both built in aluminium, so 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 1700 Explorer SS 2006 at 17,0 ft versus Lund 1700 Pro Sport OB 2005 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 1700 Pro Sport OB 2005 tips the scales at 1 200 lbs - 120 lbs less than the Lund 1700 Explorer SS 2006 at 1 080 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 125 hp for the Lund 1700 Explorer SS 2006 and 115 hp for the Lund 1700 Pro Sport OB 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 27 gal and 24 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lund 1700 Explorer SS 2006 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Lund 1700 Pro Sport OB 2005. 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.