What fishing Boat to Buy

SCRUB · #1 09-09-2009, 09:23 PM

So my old man tells me on the lake last weekend that he wants to buy a new fishing boat, we have a 12' with a 9.8 merc right now but he wants something bigger like a 16-18ft boat. Just wondering what are some good models, we have to have seating for 4, aluminum, live well, and not tiller motor control. I'm not even sure where to start with this.

thanks for the input.

Scrub

craigmid · #2 09-09-2009, 09:49 PM

I bought a Crestliner 1600 Fishhawk with a 75HP Mercury Opti Max about 3 years ago and I couldn't be happier with it. I had to get a fourth seat but there is tons of room, plenty of storage and pretty decent on fuel.

jesse34567 · #3 09-09-2009, 10:17 PM

Go with crestliner or smokercraft

both are highly respected boat dealers, I wouldn't got with lund if your new to boating just because they get real expensive when smokercraft or crestliner have just as good as boat with close to same features for way less.

here are there websites:

http://www.crestliner.com/

http://www.smokercraft.com/

javlin101 · #4 09-10-2009, 06:15 AM

Love my Crestliner 1650 Sportsfish, 140 Nissian, Honda 8hp Kicker. Mind you it is a 1995 but still solid boat would take it anywhere.

Tredeb · #5 09-10-2009, 08:28 AM

Do yourself a favor and check out Alumacraft. Also,when I was boat shopping, it seemed that Lund was more competitive in their pricing if you weren't looking at the top of the line boats.

BTW, I own an Alumacraft Trophy 185, so I am probably biased, but I have never wished I had a different boat either.

Big fish · #6 09-10-2009, 09:09 AM

Lunds are better but
these are still great boats

floppychicken · #7 09-10-2009, 08:18 PM

..a couple of boats and I like them both. My new Smokercraft ULTIMA 172 is pretty sweet for a fishing boat / Recreation boat.

The SmokerCraft Has two 'aerated' live-wells (rear live-well is about 30" across) along with 3 seats, 6 seat pedestals, Lots of storage (most of it lockable) MINN KOTA, 115 Optimax, removable carpet, swim ladder, bimini, complete fish tops (sides, rear, top), travel cover, mooring cover, 3 super DEEP CELL batteries with simple plug-in charger, FM / MP3 player, front seat cushions, ski package, Galvanized Bunk trailer with Swing Tounge, etc, etc... Great boat, easy to move 4 or more adults across 3' rollers and significant chop. All in all, a GREAT boat ! Well built extruded Aluminum with Rolled Hull. Lifetime transferable warranty on hull and rivets with 3 year interior and 3 year Mercury Warranty. All for 28k (GST in...)

My first PICK was the Alumacraft Trophy Sport 18' with the 135 Evinrude but that boat with the 'options' that I wanted / needed was well over my limit of 30k. The ALUMACRAFT is the BEST built boat available right now and is a TRUE 2X Hull from front to back.... NO other boat Manufacturer can state the same...

Much like buying a car, it's best to know what your budget is FIRST and then fit a boat into that dollar amount, then you'll have a good idea of what you'll get for the money.

Cheers,

/FC....

dodger · #8 09-10-2009, 08:32 PM

I love my Alumacraft, 3 years old and other than Pike blood she is in perfect shape. Not 1 issue from day one.
Dodger.

stuartmcgrandle · #9 09-10-2009, 10:38 PM

go to freespirit marine edmonton, crestliner fishhawk or kodiak are great, mercury engines are good, evinrude are good/great
brunswick corp owns lund princecraft,crestliner,lowe and one other i forget and they just decide that lund is their topboat, princecraft is 2nd, crestliner is 3rd etc... lunds are great but so are the 2 7 3 boat for much less $

jeffrey929 · #10 09-11-2009, 02:17 PM

My wife and I bought a Crestliner 1700 Super Hawk back in April from FreeSpirit Marine.. We love our boat... Right boat for the right $ and could not be happier

SCRUB · #11 09-11-2009, 02:41 PM

Well i think that the old man has found the one he wants, He is looking at a Legend 16xcaliber anyone have experience with these boats, 18-24k is the budget and these look like best bang for you buck.

PoorTurtle · #12 09-11-2009, 02:52 PM

I would watch out with Legends. they are usually set up wrong. the dealers dont know squat. IMO
I LOVE MY LUND

craigmid · #13 09-11-2009, 03:00 PM

I had the same boat in mind when I was looking but the Legend dealer (in Leduc) really turned me off.

SCRUB · #14 09-11-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorTurtle

I would watch out with Legends. they are usually set up wrong. the dealers dont know squat. IMO
I LOVE MY LUND

How do you mean set up wrong???

bsnyder · #15 09-12-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCRUB

Well i think that the old man has found the one he wants, He is looking at a Legend 16xcaliber anyone have experience with these boats, 18-24k is the budget and these look like best bang for you buck.

dont buy a legand, friend was a dealer and you dont want one

I have a Lund and wouldnt trade it for anything

vetterm39 · #16 09-12-2009, 02:06 PM

i've had 4 lunds over the years and never an ounce of trouble...highly recommended...