The Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2008 vs Lund 2000 Fisherman OB 2004 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Lund 2000 Fisherman OB 2004 has a 75-hp advantage over the Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2008's 125-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 2000 Fisherman OB 2004 carries 55 gallons versus 27 gallons in the Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2008. 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 1725 Explorer SS 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lund 2000 Fisherman OB 2004 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lund 1725 Explorer SS 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lund 2000 Fisherman OB 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.