Opinions wanted for family fish and ski boat

[awdiwo]

Too little HP is my primary concern. Price seem OK? Never bought a boat before. This one is selling for $17999 in very nice shape.

Any opinions welcome!

CLEAN 2005 CRESTLINER 1850 SPORTFISH WITH ONLY 27 ENGINE HOURS! A 115 hp Mercury Optimax direct injected outboard powers this loaded aluminum deep-V fishing boat package! Features include: stand-up fishermans top, factory cover, full walk-thru windshield, passenger console glove box and storage, bow Humminbird 160 fish/depth finder, dash Humminbird 581i GPS/fish finder (small crack in lens), MotorGuide 75lb thrust Wireless 24-volt trolling motor, AM/FM stereo CD player w/weather guard, gauges including; tachometer, speedometer, fuel, voltmeter, and trim; tilt steering, navigation lights, interior lights, bilge pump, electric horn, 12-volt power outlet, raised bow fishing platform w/conversion deck (fold-out bow pads for bowrider seating), (2) bow storage compartments, bow & stern aerated livewells w/manual and auto fill, bow glove box and hand rails, (3) movable swivel fishing chairs w/7 floor bases, port & starboard rod storage compartments, (5) passenger safety handles, beverage holders, (4) mooring cleats, raised stern casting platform w/fold-up padded bench seat, transom boarding platform w/ladder, marine cranking and trolling motor batteries, fire extinguisher, 39-gallon fuel tank and 7 person carrying capacity. Also included is a custom Tennessee bunk trailer including; drop tongue, 14" chrome wheels.

[DJL66]

I have an 05 Crestliner Serenity 1700 which is very similar to the Sport fish model. It has a 140hp 4S Johnson which is max hp for that boat. I personally would not go any smaller. The 1850 Sportfish I believe is rated for a 175 and is a heavy wide boat, so with a 115 on the back I would not expect great perfermance especially if you want it for tubing or skiing. I love my Crestliner as it is a great all round boat that can fish 3-4 people and still pull skiers all day. Top speed is 44mph and is great out of the hole. If I was looking at an 1850 Sportfish I would not go with a motor less than 150hp as I would not be happy.

[Superhawkn]

Should work for skiing, drop down in pitch for better hole shot performance.

[Kdawg1966]

I'm a big believer in strapping a motor that is at least 80% of the maximum HP rating for the boat. Having said that, if you can take the boat for a spin, it might sway your opinion one way or another. I've never been in a boat of that size with a 115 in it, so I can't say that it would be underpowered for your intended usage. I've had a 17.5 foot alumacraft trophy with a 140 4 stroke and now own a 18.5 foot skeeter with a 150. Personally, I wouldn't consider a smaller motor in either boat for me, but that's me - not you. I'm sure that the 115 might be slower out of the hole, but how much slower, I have no clue. It might be a sweet setup that would meet your needs but you won't know without taking it for a spin. Good luck.

[awdiwo]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm going to see if I can take it for a spin first...

[REW]

I am guessing that even with a good pitch of the right size and a load of 5 or 5 folks in the boat you will have about a 30 mph boat.

It will be tough to do tubing and skiing if you also have a bunch of folks in the boat.

If you want to only have a couple of folks in the boat, and drop the prop pitch to a size 15, with the largest diameter that you can fit on the motor, you will be fine with skiing and be able to easily pull at 30-35 mph, which is plenty fast for all skiing and tubing with the exception of barefoot skiing, which needs speeds of over 40.

If you could get the same boat with a 150hp motor on it, it would be a much much much better boat and much more suited for all of your needs.

For an overall boat, especially for a family boat, you could look into the purchase of an i/o. If you get a 20 foot Gaston with a 300hp v-8 in the boat, you will have about the same fuel economy, easily able to do all sorts of cruising and have plenty of family space for family get together.

The price will also likely be less than what the seller is asking for the boat that you are considering.

Also, the 30 foot Glastron, with the 300hp v-8 will be able to cruise at 50 mph all day long with decent fuel economy.

There is a huge difference in the price of boats that are equipped with i/os compared to outboard motors.

So, unless you have a huge desire and or need for an outboard on your boat, don't discount it.

Also some of these big boats with a nice i/o in them with the high transom make excellent fishing boats. The rids is like velvet - even in big seas compared to being bounced around in a boat that has a hull not so well suited for bigger waters.

Good luck and have fun shopping.

REW

[Superhawkn]

Fisherman want Outboards.

[boat nut]

Originally Posted by awdiwo

Too little HP is my primary concern. Price seem OK? Never bought a boat before. This one is selling for $17999 in very nice shape.

Any opinions welcome!

Too underpowered, I don't like Humminbird, especially broken ones. Motorguide? Who has one of those? Otherwise, its a nice boat.
"anything worth doing is worth overdoing" applies particularly well to boats.

[buzzard]

What are you guys runnin for props on your Johnson 140 4S.Tryin to prop for a Lund 1700 Fisherman.

[Superhawkn]

You do not have many choices unless you want to spend big bucks. Boat might be worth 18k but more than I would spend. I would not purchase a boat because it has HDS system, I pilot however it's worth some extra dough. Optimax is 2stroke motor if it's anything like my carby 115hp mercury 2+2 it's rocket and would beat 150hp 4stroke I think off line.