Lund Pro Angler vs. Explorer

[Bill Ludwig]

I am looking to purchase my first boat. After a couple of years of doing my homework I am leaning toward either an Alumacraft or Lund. My local dealer showed me some new 2004 models. The gunnwals on the Lund explorer have been doubled. The local dealer suggested I purchase a 17' explorer with a 60 or 70 horse Yamaha 4 stroker. It seems like a nice package. They are putting them on Heritage trailers. What do the readers think of the reccomendation? Should I pay the extra dollars for the Angler series or go with the explorer?

[WalleyeTom]

If you have extra dollars to spend, get the Explorer 1800 with a 90.

[Vince]

Is there much difference between the Explorer 1800 and the Angler 1700SS,price-wise? That 1800 is pretty looking machine. Does anyone out there have one, and if so, how do you like it.

[JimH]

I did a lot of shopping around last fall, looked at both the 1700 Angler SS and the 1800 Explorer SS. I was finding quotes on the Explorer to be about $1000 less than the Explorer.

[JimH]

Sorry for the brainfart. I found the Explorer to be cheaper than the Angler, so that's what I ended up with. Very nice boat.

[Vince]

Jim, after I read your post I checked the specs in the Lund catalog, and aside from a 120lb or so weight difference, I can't find much difference between the two as far as the main features are concerned. The twin hull plate thickness on the 1800ss is .80, while the 1700SS is .63, and both are IPS. Matter of fact, this past weekends Angling Edge show had Al Lindner fishing out an Explorer, as was the other boat in the background. Any idea on what (major aspect) would justify the price difference between the two? That 1800SS is a fine looking machine.

Vince

[JimH]

Vince, I think there's some minor differences like: The Angler has a built-in tackle box in the console. The Angler seems to have a slightly wider gunwale than the Explorer. And I also believe that the bow depth is shallower on the Angler than on the Explorer. One of the other fisherman at the resort I stay at had an Angler SS. I fell in love with the boat and had every intention on buying one when I got back. But after looking at the Lund catalog and seeing the Explorer, checking them out at dealerships, pricing them out compared to the Angler, I personally thought the Explorer was a better bargain. I do a lot of trolling, both for lakers and muskies, and I really liked the Dual Trak gunwale system the Explorer has. It saved me drilling holes and permanently mounting my rod holders in one place.

I think both boats are great, the other guy loved his Angler, so I don't think you can go wrong with either boat. But...for my style of fishing, I thought the Explorer fit my needs just a little better.

[WalleyeTom]

I have the 1800 and did compare it to the Angler. When you break down the dimensions all the way around, the 1800 is a much larger boat with lots more room. The hull thickness you mentioned sounds minor. .80 v.s .63. When I talked to an engineer at Lund about this, he response was it is a huge difference. The .80 is far more thicker than the .63 but the .80 isn't as heavy as the .100 on the ProV's which is why they don't get very good top end speed even with 200HP. The 1800 has better features and you can get the 1800 with a 25 inch transom from Crystal Periz Marine in Minnesota which is what I got. I have a 150 Yamaha HPDI on mine as she goes 62Mph WOT with two guys. It handles like a charm and the ride is smooth and dry. My mind was set on an Angler but I did my homework on them both and I happy with the 1800.

[Burr]

Vince, I don't have one, but I have fished out of one on a few occasions. The dual track impressed me with it's functionality, at first I thought it was going to be more gimik than function, but it really works well. Paul Zarn came up with another good one here. The one I fished in had a 90 Yama tiller. With 3 guys, full load (good sized guys too) speed was about 36 GPS, with light load, 1 guy, just touched 40. Another in the boat owns a 20 Alaskan, his comment was the 1800 Explorer felt like it had more room than his 20 Alaskan due to the width. We fished 3 in the boat, with 5 downriggers on Lake Superior, very comftorably. The 1800 Explorer tiller is a winner.

[Vince]

How do think a Suzuki 115hp 4stroke would perform on the 1800SS model?

[Burr ND]

I have never experienced a Suzuki 115. Have heard nothing but good about them though.

[Miller]

How did you get a 25 inch transon on an explorer. My dealers tell me that is not available on an explorer or even
a 1800 pro-v.