Crestliner 202T Tournament Boat Question

[Wettail]

I was wondering if anyone has owned or fished in a Crestliner 202 Tournament boat and what your honest opinion was with the ride, construction, and layout. I would appreciate any imput. It is hard to get an unbiased opinion from the owner or dealer.

[have one]

I have a mid-90's with a windshield. Been a real good boat for me.

The ****pit and bow are both really big.

I use the saddlbag bins for storage some guys add another pump I think and make a big baitwell.

I'd maybe like a little different design in the rod locker and front storage but I think that's all been changed the last few years for the better. It does have a lot of storage.

The boat really rides like it looks. It's a big solid boat that isn't tippy and it tracks really well trolling or drifting. I don't like fishing with more than one other person but this one handles 4 guys or some kids no problem.

It could maybe be a little faster and drier, but it's a tin boat that is 100" wide. I have a 225, I wouldn't go smaller than that.

For what you can buy them for, I think they are steal and I've never had any mechanical problems with the brakes or boat nor have I met anyone with problems.

If you find one you like I wouldn't be afraid to buy one at all and could see getting a newer one myself someday. I'd sell the one I have to a friend and wouldn't be afraid of "coming back on me" at all.

[rockpt]

I have a 2004 192 DC. It's a nice boat but the ride isn't the best in big water. I've been told by a few guys that the ride in the 202 is much, much better than the 192. I think Crestliner may have discontinued the 192. Other than the ride in big waves, it's a nice, solid boat.

[Adam L]

PM sent.

[eyeguy1]

I currently have a 2006 202 w/ a 225 ProXS and 9.9 ProKicker. Coming from someone that has fished out of both a friend's 192 and my own 202, the poster above is correct that 202 has a much nicer ride. I absolutely love the layout of this boat, the storage is second to none in the 20' aluminum boat category, and it tracks perfectly while trolling. It rides as smooth as any 20' boat I've been in (through various leagues and fishing as a co in FLW/PWT, I've spent time in most of the current 20-21' boats), although it is a little wetter than a comparably-sized glass boat in quartering waves (to be expected). To each their own, but I will gladly take a little spray to have the fishability of this boat. The 101" beam makes it a very stable platform in rough water. My 225 ProXS w/ 21 Tempest pushes the boat to 53-55mph, depending on load.

[W.W.]

I go to LOTW every year in July and see the same people most of the time.

I'm looking for a new boat and was talking to "Bob" up there last year about the 202T I've seen him running for a few years.

He has F225 Yammie and a T8 kicker; usually he has 4 adults in it.

Says he loves the way it tracks and fishes,

His only negatives was "its not the driest" in big water and he feels its a bit stern heavy and takes too long to get up with the kicker and 4 BIG guys. He has tried various props and settled on a 5 blade "something" that he said helps a lot.

Good Luck.....and enjoy the search.

PS, I'm leaning toward an Alumacraft 195 Tounament Sport......

W.W.

[202 owner]

I have a 2002 202 RCL edition with the bubble windshields, 225 opti, 9.9 kicker on a panther lift.

I find the boat layout of the 202 RCL was similar to that of a Pro V LE (huge front deck the ****pit area could be a little bit larger), however most of the other 202's that I have seen the windshield is a little further forward than mine.

My boat tends to ride a little lower in the back end than I would like, however I can't say that I have ever taken a breaking wave over the back that has gotten beyond the livewell hatch.

As far as smoothness / dryness of the ride after running this boat since 2004 and living very close to Big Bay de Noc I will personally tell you that this boat is not a dry ride in comparison to other boats of similar size. The 2002 didn't have the chines that the newer versions of the boat do, so when the boat comes off a bigger wave (3-4 footer) at medium speed (20ish mph) the wave will spray up and out which allows the wind to catch that water and put it back into your lap. Running the boat in legitimate 1-2 footers at higher speeds (40+) is no problem at all. I got caught out on little bay last fall in legitimate 6-7 foot rollers in the dark and the boat got me back to the Escanaba - this is when I would like to see this boat ride a little flatter in the water when not on plain.

The rod locker is huge, however the layout isn't quite perfect on mine. Some of my spinning rods with the reels on can't go in the lower spot because the largest eye won't fit in the tube and my line counters touch the butts of the rods in the lower position.

Overall a good boat especially when you compare price to other brands just a couple items to be aware of. I will say this I like my boat and possibly since 2002 some of these items have changed.

[Johnnie Candle]

I would agree with everything so far.

The boats could be dryer. I cannot deny that fact. However, the positives far out weight the negatives.

The storage is huge. I have never been able to fill it all with gear.

The fishing room is very large and user friendly. The bow has room for two anglers to cast or jig, the ****pit has plenty of room for trolling.

The boat drifts and tracks like no other.

The 17 degree deadrise makes for a very smooth entry. The boats are rock solid and feel that way when they go through larger waves.

I have truly enjoyed fishing out of my TS202s for the past 5 years.