Buying new boat

[Look-A-Like]

Headed for boat show next week-end, am interested in buying new Mid-Range boat and motor. What can anyone tell me about Lund 1700 Angler, Crestliner 1750 Fishhawk, and Alumacraft Trophy 165. What motor should I buy Honda, Merc., OMC, Yamaha? What should I expect to pay? Any possitive info you can give me would be appreciated.

[ETT]

OMC has filed chapter 11 bankrupcy. Expect to see some great deals with Evinrudes as power. Buy as an informed consumer, and realize you must save enough money to cover what would normally be warrantteed problems, and make it worth the hastle on parts etc. good luck. Do not be one of the buyers who is going to get bit because they don't know what is going on.

[Bison]

Of the boats you listed (which are all good choices) my choice would be a Lund 1700 Angler with a Yamaha F115 4-stroke.

[Mobydick]

It sounds like your an aluminum guy, so I won't try to impress you with Yarcraft. The price range is hard to nail down. Before you go, make a list of the things that are important to you and then enjoy the shopping.

[Crestliner gal]

You may want to check out the Crestliner web site for more detailed features, benefits, and specifications. The 1750CL is great for family and weekend fishing. The construction is unbelievable with an all welded hull, including a seamless weld from bow to stern. The 20 plus 3 warranty is the best in the boating business, offering you peace of mind for many years. Enjoy the boat shows and really look at the differences. Shop for what you want, but remember overall ride, comfort and fishability. Any motor combination is great, but CL is offering some awesome rebate programs with Merc and Yamaha.

[DanL]

I currently own a Crestliner 1750 Fishhawk with a F-115 Yamaha Four stroke. I would highly recommend both boat and motor. I have owned the boat for 5 years and it has performed well. As far as the motor if you have the money I would get the four stroke. They are quiet, smooth, and have plenty of power.

[Fritz]

I like your prelimary choices. Probably can not go wrong with any of them. The best advice I got as far as picking out a boat was to sit in them and think about what you like and dislike.

Most times at boat shows and on the show room floor they won't have them rigged. The extras you will want will be missing, along with the batteries, etc. So it could be deceiving what you are looking at. Especially storage areas.

I have a '99 Crestline Fishhawk 1650 with a 75 HP Honda. If I had it to do over, I would of gone to a 1750 and I would of looked closer at the weight of the motor and for electronic fuel injection. The back end seems low at times, especially with fat buddies. (I have no room to talk) :)

Remember you have to decide which one is best for you. Also, chances are you will have to take it back for some type of service, so unless you are saving big dollars, don't buy from the dealer 200 miles away.

Good luck aand enjot the process,

Fritz

[Howard]

> I currently own a
>Crestliner 1750 Fishhawk with a
>F-115 Yamaha Four stroke.
>I would highly recommend both
>boat and motor. I
>have owned the boat for
>5 years and it has
>performed well. As far
>as the motor if you
>have the money I would
>get the four stroke.
>They are quiet, smooth, and
>have plenty of power.

Dan,
what kind of speed do you get from that rig? I want to put that motor on a TS 172 with a kicker motor as well.

[DanL]

Howard my speed with that motor is 45 MPH. That is with a GPS.

[Tom]

I was looking at same boats as you were for the last few months.
I went with the Crestliner 1750 Fishhawk ( better warranty,wider
and liked the welded hull.) When I picked the boat up was very
impressed with the quality and finish (first rate). The boat is
having a Yamaha 100 (4-stroke) put on this week. This is my
third Yamaha and they are great motors.

[Jighead]

I have had great luck with my Pro Deep V 16 Tracker. All equipment comes with the boat standard. Check their web page at trackermarine.com

[GORD]

Take a look at the aluminum Rangers. They are good looking, well made, solid boats and have one of the nicest floor plans. The Hondas are great motors.

[Greg P.]

All the boats you listed are quality boats.

I have been fishing out of an Alumacraft Trophy 170 for 10 years. It has been a fantastic boat. No leaks, solid, and nicely laid out. I have been in plenty of big water, I do not beat on it, but it gets used plenty. Still looks great.

With a 100hp Evinrude, 3 people, my top speed is around 37 mph.

I have been very happy with my Alumacraft, happy enough to buy another new one this spring. (Trophy 185)

Good luck and have fun with your new boat.
Greg P.

[terrys]

Don't forget about the trailer. Make sure you get the proper trailer, spec'd for your boat. Some dealers may try to skimp on the trailer to keep the costs down.

[John in MN]

I have a 1999 1700 Angler SS with a 1999 Yamaha F100. It has been a great combo for me. E-mail me and I'll send you my evaluation of this rig. I've posted it before and won't bore others with posting it again. I will say that I had reduced my boat choice to the 1700 Angler SS and the 1750 FishHawk. I liked the Angler because it had two rod lockers and an in floor gas tank. The 1750 has the gas tank in the rear and had (I don't know if the new ones still do) a baitwell where the second rod locker is on the Lund.

[Gunga Guides]

I had a Crestliner('99) 1750SC with Johnson 115hp motor. If your looking at the fish hawk make sure you max it out. Over all the boat was great to fish out of, and easy to handle by yourself. With so many good boats out there, spend some time in each of the boats your looking at. If you have any questions let me know!

[hgf]

I have a 2000 1750 fish hawk, 90 honda, and tennessee trailer. email me for my impressions if you want.

[Big Nick]

they are all great boats but id opt for an all welded hull any day,give me a call ill explain why!!!!!

[Big Nick]

they are all great boats but id opt for an all welded hull any day,give me a call ill explain why!!!!!517 839 2700 9-5

[Glenn]

I bought a 2001 Fish Hawk 1750 SC at the end of Sept, with the Johnson 115, and love the rig. When your at the Boat show, check with Crystal Marine, that's where I got mine. They have a good package price...

Glenn

www.basschat.net

[davey crockett]

I would go with the Crestliner. I bought one two years ago and never looked back! You can't beat the 3/20 warranty! I hope I never need to use it.

[ETT]

If you're going to the Clev. Show, come see me at Norton Marine's booth. We've increased our space by 30%, and are going to have have very aggressive pricing on Lunds. Look me (Jim Stedke) up, we'll get you fixed up.

[Look-A-Like]

Thanks Guys and Gals for all the great info. I've always owned Lunds but it looks like I will need to spend alot of time looking at other brands, especially Crestliners. Hope to see some of you at the Minneapolis Boat Show this week-end.

[Flip South Dakota]

Here's some interesting reading.

http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/bassboard/boats_motors/T42168.htm