Lund Redesigns Adventure Boats for Fishing and Family Days

A family-minded redesign

Lund has revised its Adventure series for the 2027 model year, focusing on the mix of fishing and leisure activity that gives the boats their name. The manufacturer describes a larger-feeling platform, improved storage and a more versatile internal layout intended for people who do not want to dedicate their boat to a single type of outing. It is a different proposition from Lund’s new, larger HG Pro hardtop fishing models.

The Adventure family continues in 17-foot and 18-foot forms, with the 1700 and 1800 accommodating different sizes of crew. Rather than promising a specialist fishing machine alone, Lund is positioning the design for boaters who may fish in the morning, swim at lunchtime and tow a water toy later in the day. That variety places particular demands on deck planning.

The 1700 and 1800 compared

Lund lists the 1700 Adventure at 17 feet in length, with a maximum engine rating of 90 horsepower and capacity for six people. The 1800 extends to 18 feet, can accept up to 115 horsepower and is rated for seven people. Both use a beam of approximately 93 inches according to their official model specifications, an important figure for cockpit space as well as trailering.

Those numbers are a starting point rather than a complete buying decision. A seventh passenger rating may matter to a family, but the physical weight and equipment carried are equally important. Buyers should read the individual capacity plate and check the boat, engine and trailer combination before assuming a larger model is automatically the better choice.

A layout that supports more than fishing

The redesigned Adventure series emphasises flexible space and configurable centre storage. Fishing equipment, rods and tackle still need secure places, but leisure users also have bags, watersports gear and passengers moving between seats. Good storage does more than tidy the cockpit: it helps keep loose items out of walkways and reduces the need to rearrange the boat each time the activity changes.

An owner should therefore tour the storage compartments with a realistic list of equipment. A nominally large hatch may be awkward for a long item, and a convenient locker can become inaccessible when a seat is occupied. The best arrangement is the one that allows fishing and family gear to coexist without compromising safety or ease of movement.

Wood-free construction for a busy boat

Lund highlights wood-free construction as a key part of the 2027 redesign. On an open boat used for fishing, swimming and tow sports, surfaces and compartments are exposed to wet footwear, spray and repeated cleaning. The choice of materials therefore matters beyond the initial showroom impression, particularly for families who expect straightforward ownership over several seasons.

Construction details should be discussed with the dealer rather than judged solely by a headline claim. Owners will want to know how floors, transom areas and under-deck structures are formed, what access is provided for inspection and how the builder expects the boat to be maintained. The term wood-free is useful, but proper use and care still determine long-term condition.

A practical helm and windscreen choice

Lund offers Adventure versions with alternative console and windscreen arrangements, helping customers balance weather protection with open cockpit space. The 1700 model’s published specification includes USB charging, interior and navigation lighting, instrumentation and storage that support ordinary family use. Larger displays or specialist fishing electronics should be assessed in relation to the driver’s view and control access.

A helm can be attractive without being easy to use while the boat is moving. Prospective buyers should sit and stand in their normal driving positions and check visibility over the windscreen. The position of passenger seating, handholds and any additional electronics matters particularly when the boat carries children or is used in changing weather.

Fishing and recreation in the same hull

The Adventure retains features aimed at anglers, including rod storage, casting areas and a livewell, while supporting watersports and casual cruising. Lund’s model description specifically mentions fishing, skiing and tubing as activities within the intended brief. For a household with differing interests, such flexibility can make the boat more useful across an entire season.

Every activity also brings its own safety and equipment needs. Towing requires suitable attachments, observer arrangements and awareness of local restrictions. Fishing with several people aboard requires a clear working area. Families should plan for both rather than assume a general-purpose boat removes the need for preparation.

Trailer and ownership considerations

One attraction of 17- and 18-foot boats is the possibility of moving between lakes, ramps and sheltered coastal venues without relying on a permanent marina berth. The Adventure range is designed around that practical form of recreational boating. However, the full towing envelope includes engine, trailer, fuel and loaded equipment, and the legal road limits vary by location.

A local dealer can help establish the appropriate trailer, launch routine and storage requirements. Buyers should also ask about local engine packages and service support rather than base their decision entirely on the maximum horsepower listed by the manufacturer. A boat that is easy to launch and maintain will generally be used more often.

A fresh choice in the 2027 line-up

Lund’s own 2027 preview places Adventure alongside separate Tyee and HG Pro developments, showing that the builder is updating different parts of its range for different customer needs. The Adventure redesign is the family-oriented element of that programme, with increased flexibility and an emphasis on approachable day boating rather than the extreme demands of big-water angling.

Interested owners should compare both Adventure lengths, inspect the available console layouts and request an up-to-date specification for their market. The important measure will be how well a particular configuration handles the family’s ordinary mix of fishing and recreation. That is where the value of the redesign can be tested in practice.