The Lund 1700 Explorer 2005 vs Lund 1875 Pro Guide Tiller 2021 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lund 1700 Explorer 2005 at 17,0 ft versus Lund 1875 Pro Guide Tiller 2021 at 18,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 1875 Pro Guide Tiller 2021 tips the scales at 1 650 lbs — 1 542 lbs less than the Lund 1700 Explorer 2005 at 108 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 1700 Explorer 2005 has a 35-hp advantage over the Lund 1875 Pro Guide Tiller 2021's 90-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 1875 Pro Guide Tiller 2021 carries 35 gallons versus 27 gallons in the Lund 1700 Explorer 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lund 1700 Explorer 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lund 1875 Pro Guide Tiller 2021 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund 1700 Explorer 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lund 1700 Explorer 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lund 1875 Pro Guide Tiller 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.