2002 Lund 1650 SS Rebel/2000 Lund Angler

[DennyDawg]

I'm trying to make a decision about these two boats, and could use some input from you guys if you could. One is a tiller, the other is a wheel. I like the room the tiller offers, as well as the width. I also like the comfort/protection the Wheel gives as well. I know the debate will go on forever between the two, but would like some opinions, especially if any of you own, or have been aboard either of these models. I primarily fish for Walleye/Muskie, but fish other species as well. I end up on the lake alone about half of the time or better. I prefer to troll, rather than cast/drift.

With motor, electronics, and other items being similar, what would be the best fit for me, I've never driven a tiller for more than a couple of hours, and my current boat (12 footer) will not allow me to fish bigger water at all. Any advice would be appreciated, and am curious to hear from anyone that knows about these two boats.

Thank You

[stinkycat]

Originally Posted by DennyDawg

I'm trying to make a decision about these two boats, and could use some input from you guys if you could. One is a tiller, the other is a wheel. I like the room the tiller offers, as well as the width. I also like the comfort/protection the Wheel gives as well. I know the debate will go on forever between the two, but would like some opinions, especially if any of you own, or have been aboard either of these models. I primarily fish for Walleye/Muskie, but fish other species as well. I end up on the lake alone about half of the time or better. I prefer to troll, rather than cast/drift.

With motor, electronics, and other items being similar, what would be the best fit for me, I've never driven a tiller for more than a couple of hours, and my current boat (12 footer) will not allow me to fish bigger water at all. Any advice would be appreciated, and am curious to hear from anyone that knows about these two boats.

Thank You

What size motors are on these boats?

[DennyDawg]

They both come with 50hp 4 stroke Merc's

[SSH]

I have a 1999 Lund 1700 Angler. It is powered by a 75HP Merc tiller 2-stroke. Is the Angler a 1600 or 1700? IMHO think this boat with a 50HP is under-powered. If you fish small waters and fish alone, it may work OK for you. The Rebel is a lighter boat, so it may be OK with the 50 HP motor.

I like the tiller boat for openess and ease of backtrolling versus a steering
wheel boat.

Good luck with your search.

[DennyDawg]

1700 sorry about that.

[Walleye_Wrangler]

I also have a 1999 Angler 1700 tiller. I bought mine with a 50hp mercury. I absolutely love this boat!! I fish bass, crappies, walleye in small lakes in northern Indiana. Only time I wish for a little more is when i go to Lac Seul. Boat will go 27 mph with a light load. If you spend most of your time making 5 mile runs to get to your fishing spot get a console with a bigger motor. If not you'll love the tiller.

[1625rebel]

Harcore fisherman usually prefer tillers. I love to fish, but I also just enjoy boating around our lake, pulling skiiers/tubers, etc. For that a side console is the way to go. I also think side consoles are a little easier with families, but that's just my opinion.

If you pull jigs and rigs in bigger water, the tiller has a lot of advantages because you can backtroll with that 50 down real slow even against wind/waves. If you fish this way on smaller lakes, you can often get by with a transom electric because it's not as windy, thus a console would work.

With trolling cranks either configuration will work. A 50 hp will probably forward troll down to 2.0 or just under. Any slower and you would need to use a drift sock, use an electric (what I do), or backtroll with a tiller.

[DennyDawg]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, just wanted to add a couple more things. They both have 50# MinKotas, the tiller is foot control, the wheel has auto pilot. The graph/finder/gps is a bit better on the 1650 as well as a couple of years newer. I do like the idea of back trolling with the tiller, and this will most likely be a fishing only boat.

[1625rebel]

I now have an auto-pilot electric and had the regular electric before. LOVE the AP! Sounds like the tipping point between these boats is very near the center. Tough decisions.

Which electronics are on each boat? Doesn't matter as much because you can always upgrade down the line.

[DennyDawg]

The 1650 has: Minkota Autopilot 50 lb thrust trolling motor, Hummingbird 595C Color GPS / Fishfinder with Navionics N.E. Maps, Manual, and speed sensor.

The Angler 1700 has: Garmin Gps map 162, Zercom Fish Finder
Shakespeare SE2001EX
Minnkota 50lb thrust foot controlled trolling motor

Motor is exactly the same, trailers, covers, and other gear is almost identical as well.