Lund 1775 Impact XS Review

The Lund 1775 Impact XS is a brand new model for 2018 and can handle engines up to 125 horsepower.

Lund has long enjoyed a reputation as a builder of premium aluminum fishing boats, and boats like its popular Impact series are a big reason why. Built to fish hard while offering additional seating and enough comfortable amenities to pull double-duty as a great all-around family boat, the Impact appeals to anglers who also enjoy spending time on the water with the family. For the 2018 season Lund has refreshed its Impact XS series with redesigned 1875 and 2025 models, and added all-new 1675 XS and 1775 XS options to the lineup.

By offering one of its most popular boats in the extremely popular 16-foot and 17-foot lengths, the two new boats are going to be big volume sellers for Lund – the 1775 in particular, being big enough to handle engines of up to 125 horsepower. So let’s take a closer look at the all new Lund 1775 Impact XS runabout.

Lund’s all-new 1775 Impact XS accommodates outboards to 125 hp.

The 1775 Impact comes in two basic variants – Sport, with a full walk-through windshield and two consoles, and SS, with a single helm console sporting a bubble windscreen. Either are available in standard or upgraded XS sub-models. The XS versions add built-in rear jump seats to accommodate extra passengers, with a ski pylon and bow cushions available as options to round out their family appeal. All 1775 Impact versions come with an 11-gallon aerated live well in the elevated bow casting deck; standard boats come with a second 16-gallon live well in the stern while XS models get an oversized 24-gallon live well in back to presumably accommodate more and bigger fish.

The Lund Impact 1775 XS comes with an 11 gallon bow live well as standard equipment.

Regardless of variant, all 1775 Impacts ride on Lund’s IPS hull design, with a pronounced center keel, double-riveted seam construction, two reverse chines and a flat rear center pad for fast hole shots, impressive stability and durability.

The Lund 1775 Impact XS follows a proven layout with a large raised front casting deck, a main cockpit amidships and a smaller raised deck in the stern. The carpeted bow deck conceals a pair of large in-floor storage lockers for bulky gear, and the aforementioned live well in front of the helm console. One option that many serious anglers will want is the available bait well, mounted on the deck surface just ahead of the helm console and adjacent to the live well. It’s a handy convenience and a worthwhile upgrade.

An available bow bait well is a worthwhile upgrade that will be appreciated by serious anglers.

The bow deck also conceals a large center-line rod storage compartment, which holds 10 rods to eight feet in length. Up on the bow pad, there’s space to mount an electric trolling motor, with a 12/24-volt connection on the bulkhead.

The Lund 1775 Impact XS helm console is designed to accommodate all the gauges right up front where they’re easily seen. This analog dash can be upgraded to a flat dash with a large flush-mount display – called Vessel View on Lund’s option list. There’s still room to mount a second display unit to the right of the dash, if desired. No-feedback steering is standard, along with full LED interior lighting.

The raised bow deck easily stows large or bulky gear in its two large storage lockers. There’s also a live well and a central storage locker for 10 rods.

The main cockpit uses a vinyl floor for greater durability, which is a sensible choice in a boat of this type. Multiple storage options including under-console drawers, side storage, and port and starboard rod storage lockers allow the 1775 Impact to accommodate a veritable mountain of gear for fishing, picnicking, or both.

The upgraded Vessel View dash option replaces the traditional round analog gauges with a flush-mount multi-function display.

One interesting feature found on the Lund 1775 Impact XS is the particularly robust gunnel that includes an external rub rail for added protection against scrapes while docking the boat. There’s even an innovative lighting track that is integrated into the gunnels for added illumination while operating early or late in the day. That’s’ a nice touch.

On the aft deck, anglers will enjoy the integrated jump seats on the XS, or they can choose a rear flip seat option on the standard version, which converts the back deck into a larger casting area as well as adding two additional seats. A raised patch of flooring to the starboard side of the engine lifts to reveal an concealed four-step boarding ladder, which makes it a lot easier to climb back into the boat after a dip – especially an unscheduled one. Fold-down cleats reduce the odds of catching stray fishing lines or stubbing careless toes, while beverage holders throughout are appreciated on those hot summer days.

The stern-mounted boarding ladder is a thoughtful touch.

While it’s fine to dream about owning a fully-rigged, pro tournament fishing boat, the reality for most anglers is that the fishing rig will also have to pull the kids on an inner tube, take the family for boat rides and do a lot more than just fish. The Lund Impact 1775 XS delivers on both fronts, being a capable fishing platform that’s also clearly built with families in mind.