When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lund Mr. Pike 16 2005 and the Lund Pro Angler 17 2007 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 Mr. Pike 16 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Lund Pro Angler 17 2007 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lund Mr. Pike 16 2005 tips the scales at 1 215 lbs — 1 094 lbs more than the Lund Pro Angler 17 2007 at 121 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 100 hp, the Lund Mr. Pike 16 2005 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lund Pro Angler 17 2007's 75-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 Pro Angler 17 2007 carries 32 gallons versus 27 gallons in the Lund Mr. Pike 16 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 Mr. Pike 16 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lund Pro Angler 17 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lund Mr. Pike 16 2005 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lund Pro Angler 17 2007 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Lund Mr. Pike 16 2005. 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.