Both the Lund 170WPE 2005 and the Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2009 are modified-V designs, the first built in aluminium and the second in fibreglass, 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 170WPE 2005 at 17,0 ft versus Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2009 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2009 tips the scales at 1 800 lbs - 805 lbs less than the Lund 170WPE 2005 at 995 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 Lund 170WPE 2005 carries a rated maximum of 115 hp. Engine data for the Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2009 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2009 carries 40 gallons versus 20 gallons in the Lund 170WPE 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 186 Fisherman GL 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lund 170WPE 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lund 170WPE 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.