1785 BT vs Angler 1700 tiller

[Jim S.]

Hi all, I'm looking to get a new rig (boat, motor,trailer) this coming Spring. I've been fishing out of a Lund AnglerII for the past 10 years and am ready to finally upgrade. Thing is I have zero complaints with the Lund and will truly cry when I sell her as lots of fish have crossed her gunnels. From the preliminary pricing I've done here in SE MI, the YarCraft is roughly $1K more than the new Angler, given the same motor (75HP Merc or 80HP Yam, haven't decided so don't address the motor). What I'm asking for is honest feedback pos. and neg. about the YarCraft 1785BT, ideally from folks who have also owned Lund tillers or at least spent lots of time in one (doesn't matter what model). I searched the archives but found mostly info on 1785 consoles. You can see that I plan to hold onto the rig for at least 10 years and plan on using it on small lakes, Det. River, Erie occasionally and St. Clair less occasionally. Mostly two anglers but sometimes three, trolling maybe 33% of the time, rest jigging, rigging, casting. Without starting a war, which do you think would make the "better" multi-species rig, remembering that $1K can pay for a nice TM and LCD...Thanks much

Jim

[Tom P]

Jim,---I would go with the Yar-Craft hands down! As a boater who has had both aluminum and glass, I see more +'s then -'s wth glass. I would say to go with aluminum only if you beach your boat alot on rocky shore lines. Even if the Yar-Craft cost more, in the long run you will be glad you bought the Yar-Craft over the Angler 1700. Plus the Yar-Craft is a drier running boat!

[Rapaleye]

Jim - If you don't mind I would love to know what kind of prices you are getting on those two boats. Here in Minnesoata the last time I was shopping the difference between those two boats would be closer to $2-4000.
Jim

[jonn]

anybody have the web address for tuffy boats looking at those boats too thx.

[Rog]

I had a "1995" 1785BT I liked it fairly well,one complaint I had about it was that it would not ride level from side to side unless the weight was perfectly balanced. I now have "2000" 1775 Pro-V tiller and like very much.I know people aways seem to like what they have right now the best, but I can honestly say all things considered I would not go back to a Yar-Craft.

[Rapaleye]

Tuffy boats are at:
http://www.tuffyboats.com
Not a lot of information on the site though.
Jim

[Jim S.]

Hi Rapaleye, both of the price quotes I got were via phone here in SE Michigan. Lund dealer is Krupa's in Jackson and the salesman gave me a price of $15,500 B/M/T package (75 HP, two stroke most likely at that price) for an '02 Angler. Yarcraft dealer is Chapman's and the guy there ballparked a price of $16,500 B/M/T w/ 75 Merc and $19,300 w/ 80 HP Yam 4-stroke for the 1785BT. So I got my $1K difference based on the 2-stroke 75 HP price, even though I would most likely go with the 4-stroke motor. Right now I'm torn only because I'm so attached to my present Lund yet I am pretty sure the glass boat (as you said) is the way to go given the waters I fish. My plan is to see them both at the January boat shows. Thanks for your help, Jim

[brian1890]

I have owned both boats. Just sold my Yarcraft 1785 (a month ago) and am upgrading to another Yarcraft. After owning a Sylvan and 2 Lunds, I would recommend the Yarcraft in an instant. There is no comparison to the ride you get in the glass boat. I had a 75 hp Merc tiller on mine and with a full tank (36gals) and all my gear and one other person I got 38-41 mph on it. I had it on Bay De Noc, Lake Erie, Lake of the Woods and the Fox Chain in Northern Illinois. It was an awesome boat! Tons of storage and a dry, smooth ride. Dont get me wrong, the Lund was a great boat too, but the glass, in my opinion is much more stable. I did mostly riggin' and jiggin' out of mine but did pull boards with it each fall. I had a 1998 BT. I will be getting my new rig (Yarcraft 1895 BT) in a few weeks. You can email me if you want to have any other questions answered. If you dont mind traveling, you might want to check out LeCannes Marine in Faribault Minnesota. GREAT prices there.

[srj]

Jim you have two good choices. I currently run an 01 1775 ProV. My previous boats were a Warrior 177, Yarcraft 1890 and Yarcraft 1781. I considered replacing the Warrior with a 1785 BT but the Lund looks and fishes "bigger". The glass boats certainly ride better under speed in a "walleye chop" but the Lund isn't bad. In big waves there isn't much difference to me because I'm not going to be beating myself and passengers up anyway. When actually fishing, the Lund sits on the water very well. The 1700 you are looking at sits much the same as the ProV. I expect you will be very happy with either boat. By the way--I plan on buying an 1895 Yarcraft this winter--but only because I need?? to run a 115 tiller and with Lund I would have to go to a 20 footer. Good luck.

[Stormsearch]

Jim,

Krupa's always include rigging and setup cost with the package where Chapman's does not - worth another $1K. Dealing with both, I believe you are getting a more accurate with Krupa's. I have dealt with both in the past and prefer Krupa's overall, but don't have anything really bad about Chapman's either.

Another thing to look at is the trailer in the package deal. That could sway the price either way by $500 easily. Plus if you want to upgrade to a better trailer with possibly disc brakes, add easily another $500 to either package.

I have never been in a Yarcraft BT but in their BayDe Noc lineup and are awesome - expensive but awesome. I regularly fish out of a friend's 1700 Angler and was impressed. Either way you can't go wrong. Both dealer's are pretty good, especially Krupa's so that won't sway anything.

What would make my decision, able to max out the boat with a 4stroke. Krupa's only carries Honda/Merc - no 80HP 4ST.

[Jim S.]

Thanks to all of you that replied to my posting.
Stormsearch, thanks for the tip on Krupa's regarding the rigging costs being included. I must say that the salesman (Nick, a tourney bass guy) that I spoke with on the phone was great. After answering my boat questions he immediately started talking fishing, albeit bass fishing, and he was very generous in offering his advice on where's and how's in SE MI. That goes a long way in my book. The guy at Chapman's was very professional (also a plus in my book), almost too professional (slick?) in that he knew his products (Lund, YarCraft) but didn't comment when I asked him about fishing out of the boats. I understand that these brands sort of sell themselves but the fact that he didn't mention rigging, etc. costs makes more sense now. I didn't think there could "only" be $1000 difference between the two boats.
srj, the YarCraft dealer did mention that they (YarCraft) were upping their HP ratings for '02. He said the 1785 would have something like 100 HP max so I'm sure they'll redo their bigger boats as well. I do agree with you about the ride of both boats in big waves. No boat is running WOT anyway, and I also have passengers who don't appreciate going airborne every 15 seconds. I'm sure I would love the ride of glass when conditions are right but not sure if it's worth the extra $$.
I will say this; I tend to prefer a lower maintenance rig, meaning I do NOT want to be wiping down my boat each time I take out. I see lots of glass boat owners do this, not many tin owners. I also don't want to be limited on my launch ramp choices, especially since I am solo quite often. Based on what you guys tell me, if the price difference (fully rigged)is more like $2K-4K then it's the Lund.

[Mobydick]

Jim....I'm running a 2000 Yarcraft 1785, w/75hp Merc. I can tell you the ride and handling is smooth and solid. Is it the rig for you?? You'll have to ride in one to know for sure. There must be someone near you willing to take you for a spin. Happy Holidays.