When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2012 and the Lund SSV 14 Tiller 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2012 measures 18,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lund SSV 14 Tiller 2009 at 14,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund SSV 14 Tiller 2009 tips the scales at 295 lbs — 277 lbs less than the Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2012 at 18 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 186 Fisherman GL 2012 has a 140-hp advantage over the Lund SSV 14 Tiller 2009's 35-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lund SSV 14 Tiller 2009 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lund 186 Fisherman GL 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lund SSV 14 Tiller 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.