Alumacraft boat advise

[cspierings]

My boat was hit by an SUV a couple weeks ago. The insurance of the person who hit me has been taking their sweet time getting moving but given that the damages to the motor and a replacement hull represent a sizeable portion of the blue book of my rig I think they will be totaling it.

I had planned to hang on to my boat for another year or two and then trade but that timeline looks to be accelerating so here is my question.

I have pretty well settled on the Alumacraft Tournament Sport 185 as the boat for me. I have found a number of them available in my area, not tons but a few. The other boat I have found that is interesting is the Lunder 1850 fisherman. Lund is a little cheaper which I am chalking up to the motor its a 135 rather than the 150 on the TS.

If you have had either of these boats what do you like and not like about them?

I am not looking to start a fight about the brands I am just hoping to gain the perspective of those who have owned and fished out of them to help me make a more informed decision.

THanks

[beeman]

That leaves two boats Lund Tyee, starcraft fishmaster. Lund is heavier duty boat but at cost weight. You might find a fishmaster for same out of pocket your insurance is giving you. Alumacrafts are pretty nice and lighter weight but not sold on them.

[fish4trophy]

I don't have this boat, but someone I know does and He just loves it. I personally don't see that much difference in quality between Alumacraft and Lund. It's whatever you like and works for you. But I would suggest maxing the power on whatever you get.

[RKG]

An Alumacraft Trophy would be more comparible to a Lund Fisherman, wouldn't it? Tourney sport is built more like a Pro V, with lower gunwales and more features I believe.

RKG

[Bandit]

An Alumacraft Trophy would be more comparible to a Lund Fisherman, wouldn't it? Tourney sport is built more like a Pro V, with lower gunwales and more features I believe.

RKG

Two differant boats? The Lund is a family fishing run about boat & Tournament Sport 185 is a lower profile Muilti spec fishing boat?

I used to own a Tournament Sport 185 & love the boat, but I just bought a Lund ProGuide 2010 Tiller its a great boat more suited to River Fishing for me.

You should keep the Tournament Sport in mind & maybe look at a Lund Predator

[W.W.]

I too am looking at new boats and IMHO.........

A-craft and Lund models......

Trophy = Tyee
Tour Sport = Pro V
Navigator = Explorer

Fisherman is a Trophy/Tyee "lite".

I have fished out of: Pro V,,,, Tyee,,,, Trophy,,,, & ,,,,Navigator (A-craft).

IMHO.........

Trophy/Tyee

has deeper ****pit = to hard to reach fish by hand to revive but..... holds kids better

has more freeboard = pushed too much by wind but.....some like that in bigger waves

too small front deck

I think of these two as Fish & Family boats; want a more dedicated fishing rig.


Navigator/Explorer

shallower ****pit...Good!

less freeboard...Good!

bigger front decks...Good!

open gunnels....NOT so good for me

lighter construction than others....lighter to tow/smaller motor to buy

I have fished out of a friends 18 foot Navigator (no longer made in 18 ) quite a lot. It is a nice boat. His has a f150 Yammie and is GREAT on gas (6 - 7 mpg at optimum cruise) and is very easy to tow. I want at least 18 ft and enclosed gunnels so this is out for me.
The Lund Eplorer is similar so if you like open gunnels check these out.

Pro V

massive front deck but at expense of rear deck

VERY ( too ? ) wide gunnels; reduces rear ****pit width

good ****pit depth

good freeboard

Dedicated fishing rig

Tournament Sport

good front vs rear deck (better in the 195 than 185)

better gunnel width and rear ****pit width

good ****pit depth

good freeboard

Dedicated fishing rig


In general I think Lund & A-craft are both good; I think the Alumacrafts have many smaller features that options on the Lund that you get to pay extra for. IMHO.....but check out the spec sheets yourself; you may or may not want them...........


Pick the features you like and go with that brand; they are all good boats.

One important thing for me was to pick the motor I wanted and then to "hang" the boat on it that has the features I wanted for the best buck.

For me it turned out to be the Alumacraft Tournament Sport 195............

Good Luck and Enjoy the Ride

W.W.


PS Not sure where you are located (hint..hint..fill out your use profile) but LaCannes in Mn & "The Boat Farm" in Ia both had T Sport 185 on hand; new and used. Lacannes had a demo 195 at a decent price too.

[beeman]

I preffer the deepest V both are considered deep V. I feel more at home with drier ride and deeper inside capacity. They all seem to work and have pluses and minus. I fish smaller lakes but waves still get to 2 footers its like night and day softer,safer. The new lund rebel 17footer is a neat boat except i cant get over the feeling of being out boat. Tyee is pricey item $40k no problem if thats a concern at least look at 180 starcraft fishmaster if you can find one in country like 2006 for $20k that would be my pic. Everyone has different opinions, i just know what i like. Never see me in bass boat! One boats i own crestliner superhawk 1700, great boat but id trade for 180 fishmaster starcraft in heart beat. Get the comfy boat screw the motor your fishing. Found one lol in indonesia think its a fake add though.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/100807980/2006_Starcraft_Super_Fisherman_180dc_Boat.html

[doubleheader]

I helped a good friend spec out his new boat in 2008. He settled on an 1850 Alumacraft Trophy Sport with a 150 Optimax. My next boat will probably be an 1850 but with a 4 stroke. I really like the Alumacraft boat construction, layout, fit and finish. I think there is more value for the money in an Alumacraft today than any other rig on the market.

[cspierings]

Thanks for the info on boat perspectives so far.

I'm going to go look at that Lund Fisherman at some point this weekend.

I'm already talking to Lacannes in fact if they sharpen their pencils just a bit more I will probably buy from them even though its a haul down the road.

I think the TS is the best fit for me long term especially given the cost differential for a Lund Pro V.

[AllenW]

Having looked at both the 185 TS and Lund ProV I'm not so sure there's much in quailty difference between them, what there is a difference in is layout, I spent probably 20 mins or more sitting in each and trying different spots to sit/fish, also thought about livewells, storage, comfort, and what ever else I'd need for a day on the lake.

I went with the 2007 Alumacraft 185 TS.

Was it the better boat??
For me it was.

I have the Yammie F150 4 stroke a T-8 kicker and Terrova 80# AP on the bow, very happy with this rig so far

Al...who bought from Nick at LaCanne's also, great place.

[rebs]

If there is a starcraft dealer in your area, take a look at them. They build a quality boat at reasonable prices, you might be surprised at how much bow you will get for your money.

[beeman]

Not the most popular brand but the original metal boat inventors 1906 i think. If anyone lives in indonesia please bring that boat back with you i want it lol.

[ksx3]

I have a 175 Alum TS. The tournament sport is comarible to the lund pro-v's. Apples to apples this is what you would need to compare. Having a 135 opti hanging on the back of my boat, I would have to say go with at least the 150 4 stroke. Love my Opti so far, but really could use the extra battery vs the reduced motor weight.

Both manufacturers good, sorry about your loss and good luck with the new one. Hope things work out.

[cspierings]

Sold my boat today so now the search is real serious. One more boat to look at this weekend and then its time to see who has the best price since none of the local folks are within 4-5K on price I'm going to buy somewhere else.

[AllenW]

You have any chance of getting out for a bit in any of the boats your looking at?

Maybe see if anyone near you has one of the boats and see if you can catch a ride for a bit?

Al

[Hot Runr Guy]

Sold my boat today so now the search is real serious. One more boat to look at this weekend and then its time to see who has the best price since none of the local folks are within 4-5K on price I'm going to buy somewhere else.
Earlier this year, I went for a day-trip ride from SE WI to Rogers MN with Smoker62, when he bought his Alumacraft.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/community/aboutus/retail-detail.jsp?detailedInformationURL=%2Fcabelas%2Fen% 2Fcontent%2Fcommunity%2Faboutus%2Fretail%2Fretail_ stores%2Fboat_info%2Frog%2Frog09_86512.jsp
HRG

[cspierings]

I have tried one of the boats. I may see about the Lund I am going to look at tomorrow. Sold my boat yesterday so I need to get serious if I am going to get out for some fishing yet this fall.

[ksx3]

I don't know which boat you have ridden in, but Jerry's Sport Service in Beloit, WI might have a pro-v you could get out in. I know they had a Lund pro-v sponsor boat no too long ago rigged and water ready. There is also an Almacraft dealer just south of Border in Illinois. If you use the dealer locator on Alumacraft's website I am sure you can find it.