When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund 1700 Explorer 2005 and the Lund 1700 Fisherman 2005 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 2005 at 17,0 ft versus Lund 1700 Fisherman 2005 at 17,0 ft. At 108 lbs and 13 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lund 1700 Fisherman 2005 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lund 1700 Explorer 2005's 125-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 27 gal and 27 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lund 1700 Fisherman 2005 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lund 1700 Explorer 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund 1700 Fisherman 2005 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lund 1700 Fisherman 2005 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lund 1700 Explorer 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.