New boat question

[zummy]

Hi, new to the forum. On a waterfowling site they said you guys were the ones to ask about aluminum boats. Wife gave me the go ahead to buy a new boat this spring. I sold the last one when I bought my truck back in 09 to make a bigger down payment. I am looking for a boat that will be used for fishing 85% of the time and taking the family to the lake the other 15%. Wife's must haves are swim ladder and ability to pull a tube if neccessary. I want a walk thru windshield, good electronics, and a stereo (I listen to sports talk radio when fishing by myself). Right now the ones I am looking at the hardest are Crestliner 1650 fish hawk, G3 V164F, Lowe FM 165, and the Alumacraft 165 Sport. Really leaning hard towards the Crestliner, but looking for reviews and actual owners. I will have the maximum hp hanging on whatever I get.

[perchjerker]

how big is your family?

I had a Crestliner for 8 years and it was a fine boat. I had a Sportfish

[zummy]

Myself, wife, 2 yr old, and one on the way in January. I was kind of looking at the 6 person capacity in case my brother, dad, or mother ever wanted to go.

[perchjerker]

Originally Posted by zummy

Myself, wife, 2 yr old, and one on the way in January. I was kind of looking at the 6 person capacity in case my brother, dad, or mother ever wanted to go.

I would be looking at something bigger than a 16.5 fter if thats the case.

My Sportfish was an 1850, it was a bowrider and had a decent amount of room

[1860Angler]

Originally Posted by perchjerker

I would be looking at something bigger than a 16.5 fter if thats the case.

My Sportfish was an 1850, it was a bowrider and had a decent amount of room

I agree, A 16' walk thru windshield boat is like a 14' tiller when it comes to room inside. As a rule of thumb you loose about 2' of the boat with the consoles. I have a 16 1/2' tiller now and am going to an 18 1/2' walk thru boat next year, knowing that I'm not really gaining any room inside, just a little bit of width. For me personally the smallest walk thru boat I would consider would be an 18 1/2' just for that reason. I have the same size family, myself, wife and 6 and 3 year old boys and we have plenty of room in the tiller, but need the comfort of the walk thru. I've fished out of many 17' walk thru's and found that my tiller had much more room, thus the reason I'm going to an 18 1/2' boat. Good luck and have fun, shopping is half the fun of getting a new boat!!

[sdphil]

I agree with everyone.....look at something in the 18 ft range. I have a 16 1/2 lund and it works great for me and my wife, but we have a 2 year old when she goes with it starts to get tight. A 16 1/2 ft boat is perfect for two people, I wouldnt even consider taking three adults on mine, it would just make for a miserable day on the water for everyone. In 2 years i will be upgrading to a 18 ft boat for sure.

[Rich B]

What they said (ha) !

I went from an 18' tiller pro-v to a 1900 Pro-V with the full windshield...love the windshield
in the early Spring and late Fall, though you lose about 2' interior space with a windshield (though you gain some of that back with storage).

As your family grows (and you have friends/family join you), you'll be glad you have the extra space....if not now, you will in the future.

Good luck with your decision....if the $$ is too much new, look at the WC ads (or other ads)
as late model rigs are available at a savings.

Rich B

[beeman]

14 tiller is dinky little boat. I have 1600 superhawk and find room just fine. It's wider,longer and deeper than tiller lol. New 16s are 16.5 but look narrower think mine is 16.5 as well. I dumped my 14 tiller then moved up 1700 fiberglass then rethought my purchase bought 2 more 17s and now own 16. There is whole lot more than length to look at. 1850 sportfish would not fit in my garage infact 1700 superhawk I had to angle in. 17ft superhawk is great boat and would rather own but at $7k more the bleeding needs to stop somewhere. If you have money go for it nothing like paying cash for new one and owning it not bank. I prefer glass windshield boats you can attach tops to get out wind,rain,sun. I think new fishhawk has glass option now in 17 killer boat.

[zummy]

I hear you on length. Storage is a consideration. I also will be fishing alot with just me and maybe 1 other person. I'll look at some larger boats. I am not opposed to traveling out of KS for the right deal on a used one, but if I can't find exactly what I want the wife gave me the go ahead to buy new. I owned a 16 ft starcraft deep v once upon a time, and that was about the ideal boat for what I want to do hence the 16.5 ft boats I was researching. I appreciate all the comments, keep them coming.

[j77]

I would take a look at the 1775 or 1875 lund impact.