When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 and the Lund 1950 Tyee Gran Sport 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 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 at 17,0 ft versus Lund 1950 Tyee Gran Sport 2009 at 19,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 tips the scales at 1 035 lbs — 1 016 lbs more than the Lund 1950 Tyee Gran Sport 2009 at 19 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 225 hp, the Lund 1950 Tyee Gran Sport 2009 has a 150-hp advantage over the Lund 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lund 1700 Explorer Tiller 2007 carries 27 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Lund 1950 Tyee Gran Sport 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 5 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.