When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund 186 Pro Sport GL 2009 and the Lund 197 Pro-V GL 2011 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lund 186 Pro Sport GL 2009 at 18,0 ft versus Lund 197 Pro-V GL 2011 at 19,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund 186 Pro Sport GL 2009 tips the scales at 175 lbs — 154 lbs more than the Lund 197 Pro-V GL 2011 at 21 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 197 Pro-V GL 2011 tops out at 225 hp. Engine specs for the Lund 186 Pro Sport GL 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 4 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

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.