When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund 1700 Pro Sport 2009 and the Lund 1800 Pro-V SE 2008 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 Pro Sport 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Lund 1800 Pro-V SE 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 1800 Pro-V SE 2008 tips the scales at 156 lbs — 144 lbs less than the Lund 1700 Pro Sport 2009 at 12 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 175 hp, the Lund 1800 Pro-V SE 2008 has a 60-hp advantage over the Lund 1700 Pro Sport 2009's 115-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 Pro Sport 2009 carries 24 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Lund 1800 Pro-V SE 2008. 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.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lund 1700 Pro Sport 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lund 1800 Pro-V SE 2008. 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.