View Full Version : Pricing on two boats?
jalichty@bresnan.net
03-18-2010, 07:25 PM
I am looking at downsizing from a 22' fiberglass boat to a 2009 Superhawk 1900, with a 175 Merc. XLS, a Terrova electric trolling motor with fishfinder and a Lowrance HDS7. The price is right at $36,000 before adding anything else like a kicker.
The other boat is a 2009 Alumacraft Trophy 195 with a 200 hp E-Tec. I have asked the dealer to price me a kicker and an electric trolling motor. Kicker is 9.9 Merc. with electric start and controls and the electric trolling motor is the Minn Kota Powerglide 70 pounds of thrust 24 volts. Rigged out this way the price is just north of $36,000.
Would you please give me your thoughts on the value and quality of these two boats? I am not wedded to either one, however, we felt that we liked the Alumacraft more than the Crestliner.
By the way, we boat on lakes in Wyoming, from 5,000 to over 7,000 feet in elevation.
SkarMN75RBLS
03-18-2010, 07:30 PM
You can get a bigger boat, bigger motor, and a kicker with the Alumacraft. I say definately go with the Alumacraft!
jalichty@bresnan.net
03-19-2010, 06:51 AM
Thanks for the comment. With the price quoted for the kicker of $3,400, that makes the Alumacraft about $3,000 less expensive. I know that Crestliner sells itself as a premium boat but how does the Alumacraft stack up in that regard? I have a little concern about the riveted hull of the Alumacraft compared to the all-welded hull of the Crestliner. Does anybody have experience or knowledge of the relative merits of these two methods of hull making, as well as the fact that the Alumacraft has a double hull, sort of. It's not quite twice as thick as the Crestliner, .2 compared to .125, but it is thicker and, I would think, somewhat more durable.
Really need some help with this as this will probably be my last, "last" boat purchase, hopefully.
Pezman38
03-19-2010, 08:29 AM
Did you think about glass at all?
For the price you mentioned above I know you can get a nicely outfitted Reata 1800 series. I am sure that skeeter and triton would have similiar boats as well.
As far as the Crestliner, there is a reason they have a nickname of wetliner. My dad has one and I wear my rain suit 9 times outta 10 when the sun is shining with 2 footers coming at us. Perhaps they have changed since the early 90's.
Have you test rode in any, that would be my other suggestion, go for a ride in the boats you are considering.
I second the vote on glass. The aluminum boats have gone up considerably in the last few years. I think you should take some test rides and see the difference. Go and price a Ranger 1850 Reata and see how close it is to the boats you are looking at.
eye4aneye
03-19-2010, 08:49 AM
Thanks for the comment. With the price quoted for the kicker of $3,400, that makes the Alumacraft about $3,000 less expensive. I know that Crestliner sells itself as a premium boat but how does the Alumacraft stack up in that regard? I have a little concern about the riveted hull of the Alumacraft compared to the all-welded hull of the Crestliner. Does anybody have experience or knowledge of the relative merits of these two methods of hull making, as well as the fact that the Alumacraft has a double hull, sort of. It's not quite twice as thick as the Crestliner, .2 compared to .125, but it is thicker and, I would think, somewhat more durable.
Really need some help with this as this will probably be my last, "last" boat purchase, hopefully.
Having owned a 18' Crestliner for 4 years and fished out of a 18' Alumacraft, I wouldn't even consider the Crestliner for the same dough. I won't go into the reasons for fear of starting a flame war. You can PM me.
FWIW, I live not far from you and probably fish some of the same waters.
These boats are all nice--that's why you are paying so much. The Alumacraft has the rivets, which have their inherent risks/maintenance issues. Everyone will share stories about one of the brands that didn't work out for them--this goes for motors too. I find it hard to classify the top boats by brand. They all have nice features and floorplans. I would buy based on your own feelings from sitting in the boat, launching the boat, and driving the boat. Nothing can beat your own intuition.
We had an old 1974 (?) Lund VFR. It had rivet issues and water in the bilge all the time. However, it was a great boat for us--simple to pull, drive, fix, yet had a full windshield and canvas. Johnson 85 worked OK.
When we decided to upgrade in 1986 we went with Crestliner [sportfish]. This boat was never babied--we ran it foolishly at highspeed in big waves, etc... Sure loved that full windshield. The hull was thinner--all the boats were thinner. I just sold the boat, and I never had a wet bilge. I beached it hundreds of times without worry--slab rock, grapefruit sized rock, etc... After years of use, you could just make out the ribs in the bow where the aluminum had been pressed and stressed around them. But we were dumb, and the hull never was a problem. Now the motor--we will never buy a Merc again!
But this is only one person's experiences. We all have stories. I'm interested in a Ranger, but I am so used to the big deep -V of my old boats. We replaced with a glass i/o boat, just to try something new. I didn't want to spend $30k+ to replace with the same thing. And the family has different needs--little girls, etc...
Anyway, long story short, buy what you think you like. Try to get test rides/drives, where you actually run/use the boat. Imagine buying a car without a drive.
ejj
tzonetom
03-19-2010, 09:54 AM
Did you think about glass at all?
For the price you mentioned above I know you can get a nicely outfitted Reata 1800 series. I am sure that skeeter and triton would have similiar boats as well.
As far as the Crestliner, there is a reason they have a nickname of wetliner. My dad has one and I wear my rain suit 9 times outta 10 when the sun is shining with 2 footers coming at us. Perhaps they have changed since the early 90's.
Have you test rode in any, that would be my other suggestion, go for a ride in the boats you are considering.
EXACTLY what I was thinking. Unless you just don't want glass anymore.
Even my wife likes the Reata/Angler series.
And I love my Ranger Reata 1850!
Bob
Richard B
03-19-2010, 10:16 AM
I will never own another Alumacraft. If you are interested in more information on the issues that I just send me a pm.
EJJ,
What do you mean you are interested in Ranger, but are use to the "big deep V" of your old boats? Don't let the high sides and supposed deep V of the old boats fool you. Take a ride in a Ranger out in rough water and your mind will be changed. No more getting beat up in aluminum and those high sides do not equate to drier ride. If the money is even close, I wouldn't even consider aluminum. Anybody ever wonder why one of the biggest aluminum boat makers started making glass boats now??? hmmmmmmm??????
Esoxchaser
03-19-2010, 11:24 AM
Even my wife likes the Reata/Angler series.
My wife made me buy my 1860. She still hasn't been out on it, but she rests assured that I am in a really nice safe big water boat. If I ever had to go back to aluminum, I would go with a Crestliner. I have had enough weeping rivets on numerous hulls to last a lifetime. The only tinnie I ever had that had a dry bilge was a crestliner.
Esoxchaser
03-19-2010, 11:27 AM
EJJ,
What do you mean you are interested in Ranger, but are use to the "big deep V" of your old boats? Don't let the high sides and supposed deep V of the old boats fool you. Take a ride in a Ranger out in rough water and your mind will be changed. No more getting beat up in aluminum and those high sides do not equate to drier ride. If the money is even close, I wouldn't even consider aluminum. Anybody ever wonder why one of the biggest aluminum boat makers started making glass boats now??? hmmmmmmm??????
I agree 100%. More freeboard doesn't make for a drier ride, but it sure makes for a boat that is tough to control in the wind. Rangers will track dead straight at low speeds in a good blow. And the ride........well, you do have to try it.
That's why I put it that way--it's simply a mental perception thing--nothing to do with reality. I bought a new glass boat. I have a hard time paying what the Aluminum boat guys want now. Except for the rock thing--when I head to Canada now I use a resort/guide boat or go with a friend and their boat.
Chucker57
03-19-2010, 02:28 PM
Anybody ever wonder why one of the biggest aluminum boat makers started making glass boats now??? hmmmmmmm??????
Lund had a glass boat years ago I wonder why they went from it? hmmmmmmm???
dutchboy
03-19-2010, 05:18 PM
Anybody ever wonder why one of the biggest aluminum boat makers started making glass boats now??? hmmmmmmm??????
Lund had a glass boat years ago I wonder why they went from it? hmmmmmmm???
Same reason as today...........can't sell them? :devil:
beeman
03-19-2010, 08:56 PM
This is a web site for sharing information and personal experiences. I like freeboard seems to keep my current rig dry!
On a side note
if you are looking at aluminum boats, I believe you will be very impressed with Starcraft. You get alot of boat for your money and a high dry ride with their 19 degree hull design. Lots of storage, lots of room, and a boat that will take on the rough stuff.
Take a look at Starcraft, I believe you will be glad you did.