Buying new boat WHAT SHOULD I GET?

Overdrawn · #1 05-05-2011, 10:20 PM

Looking at new boats, Tracker 175wt,Targa 18 Combo, Allumacraft Navigator 165. All nice boats, Whats the word on Evinrudes or should I stick with a Merc. The Alumacraft gives me a full enclosed top and the option of Evinrude 90 or a merc 90 which is better? What is a better hull? Is there any other boats I should look at in the 20K to 25K? I want the full the windshield. My Crestliner was a 18' tiller control 90 4 stroke Suzuki, the boat was nice but I have kids now and want a full windshield with enclosure. Such a hard decision. To many nice boats out there.

crown royal 17 · #2 05-05-2011, 11:56 PM

Legend Boats Check them out not a waste of time or money.

Crossfire · #3 05-06-2011, 12:33 AM

I would not purchase another motor other then an evinrude e-tec the have better power and they are 2 stroke which is way less cost of maintenance 4 strokes are heavier and will not compare to the 2 stroke go evinrude 100%

Overdrawn · #4 05-06-2011, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crown royal 17

Legend Boats Check them out not a waste of time or money.

Nope sorry LEGENDS are JUNK, JUNK, JUNK. I said I wanted a boat not a piece of Garbage. I would be embaressed on the water with one.

Kokanee9 · #5 05-06-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdrawn

Nope sorry LEGENDS are JUNK, JUNK, JUNK. I said I wanted a boat not a piece of Garbage. I would be embaressed on the water with one.

No misunderstanding what you mean here.

bubba 96 · #6 05-06-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdrawn

Nope sorry LEGENDS are JUNK, JUNK, JUNK. I said I wanted a boat not a piece of Garbage. I would be embaressed on the water with one.

x2x2x2x2x2x2x2x2 electrical problems in a boat not a good thing..

hightower · #7 05-06-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdrawn

Nope sorry LEGENDS are JUNK, JUNK, JUNK. I said I wanted a boat not a piece of Garbage. I would be embaressed on the water with one.

bahahaha

oilngas · #8 05-06-2011, 11:21 AM

what did you do with the 18' tiller??

Krisrf · #9 05-06-2011, 11:55 AM

To address the original post, I don't have experience with either of the other boats, but I absolutely love my alumacraft dominator 165 paired with the Etec. With that said, the boat is wide and heavy for what it is which makes it really stable in the water but does slow down your top speed a bit. The haul on what you are looking at in the navigator is the same haul as the dominator. This is a true double haul and I wouldn't take anything else. The fellows over at Boat Mart are good, particularly Ray and Allan. With that said, they aren't salespeople so if you want something you have to help them sell you on it. By all means, for more information fire off a private message and I can give some more input.

Kris

cougarcreek · #10 05-06-2011, 11:59 AM

I looked at a lot of boats this year and ended up purchasing the Tracker 175wt. I think the Targo 18 combo is a better choice if you plan to use it with the Kids for tubing and other things and not just fishing.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #11 05-06-2011, 12:00 PM

I myself am looking at a Sylvan , which the haul is the same as a Lund , but diffrent name and options put in it . Also thought about one of the new Legends , seems that the new ones arent having the electrical issues some of the older models have .

Im looking for a 18 -20 ft Tiller , with lots of rod , tackle storage , maybe a livewell and baitwell . I can mount my own Electronics . Im not huge on the console boats takes up alot of room .

rapala76 · #12 05-06-2011, 03:34 PM

I have a 18 foot crestliner and think its great im pretty sure you can get into one in that price range i had a lund guy in my boat and he loved how it handled the waves. Really good boats for the money

Chris K · #13 05-06-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGBADJOHN

I myself am looking at a Sylvan , which the haul is the same as a Lund , but diffrent name and options put in it . Also thought about one of the new Legends , seems that the new ones arent having the electrical issues some of the older models have .

Im looking for a 18 -20 ft Tiller , with lots of rod , tackle storage , maybe a livewell and baitwell . I can mount my own Electronics . Im not huge on the console boats takes up alot of room .

Sorry John, but the Sylvan hull is not the same as a Lund in design or construction. The Legend hulls are the same as Sylvan / Smoker Craft, as Legend (Duhamel & Dewar) buys their hulls from Sylvan / Smoker Craft and finishes the interiors with their own components @ their facility in Sudbury, Ontario.

Chris K

Princecraft164 · #14 05-06-2011, 05:00 PM

Lund or princecraft would be a good choice

deerassassin · #15 05-06-2011, 06:30 PM

one that floats might be nice to

livinthedream · #16 05-06-2011, 07:41 PM

Lund with a 4 stroke Evinrude!

chubbdarter · #17 05-06-2011, 07:58 PM

LUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and no e-rudes.....the company that owes the Canadian taxpaying citizens millions own e-rude

Kokanee9 · #18 05-06-2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubbdarter

LUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and no e-rudes.....the company that owes the Canadian taxpaying citizens millions own e-rude

That's still a sore one with me.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #19 05-06-2011, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris K

Sorry John, but the Sylvan hull is not the same as a Lund in design or construction. The Legend hulls are the same as Sylvan / Smoker Craft, as Legend (Duhamel & Dewar) buys their hulls from Sylvan / Smoker Craft and finishes the interiors with their own components @ their facility in Sudbury, Ontario.

Chris K

Its all good , I was only told that by the salesmen of Sylvan . He said , Legend , Sylvan , smoker craft are all the sall hulls as a Lund . Maybe I was mistaken .

Overdrawn · #20 05-07-2011, 06:43 AM

I setteled on a Traker 175wt with a 115 Merc 4-stroke. I liked the lay out of the boat and for the price compared to others it came with more. It will be a great family boat.

Shmag · #21 05-07-2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livinthedream

Lund with a 4 stroke Evinrude!

Back to the OP's question...of looking for a boat in the 20 to 25 grand range. What 17-18ft lund with a 4 stroke is 20-25 g???

I am running a tracker boat with a merc opti ( 2 stroke ) and love this package. From pulling the kids on the tube to fishing derbies, on the big water of slave. Each to their own, everyone has different idea's on what makes a boat. Buy a boat that appeals to you and one that you can get serviced or warranty work without having your boat at the dealers all summer long waiting list. Good luck with your decision

Shmag · #22 05-07-2011, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdrawn

I setteled on a Traker 175wt with a 115 Merc 4-stroke. I liked the lay out of the boat and for the price compared to others it came with more. It will be a great family boat.

Good choice, personally i would of went with the 2 stroke opti, but thats my preference...i am sure you will be very happy with your decision.

BigBuck$ · #23 05-07-2011, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossfire

i would not purchase another motor other then an evinrude e-tec the have better power and they are 2 stroke which is way less cost of maintenance 4 strokes are heavier and will not compare to the 2 stroke go evinrude 100%

x 100

And yes I LOVE my Alumacraft!!!

Kokanee9 · #24 05-07-2011, 09:30 AM

Congrats on your new boat. I hope you have many hours of enjoyment on the water. Leave some fish for the rest of us, LOL.

ward · #25 05-07-2011, 10:15 AM

I do not understand the claims of high maintenance costs for four stroke outboards. I have had a Honda for 14 years and I guess I own someone a bunch of money ?

Jwood 456 · #26 05-07-2011, 10:55 AM

1

Kokanee9 · #27 05-07-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

I do not understand the claims of high maintenance costs for four stroke outboards. I have had a Honda for 14 years and I guess I own someone a bunch of money ?

In theory - 4 stroke is more moving parts, more internal pieces for wear and tear to occur, therefor higher repair bill when something finally breaks.

2 stroke is less moving parts and as a result, easier to take apart and repair.

Simple solution is to take care of the equipment and there should not be a worry, irregardless if it is 2 or 4 stroke.

Change the engine oil in the 4 stroke just like in your car and problem solved.

Overdrawn · #28 05-07-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilngas

what did you do with the 18' tiller??

It's has no windshield just a handle on the motor, more room for fishing!!

dodger · #29 05-07-2011, 02:51 PM

I have a small 14' Alumacraft and the quality throughout the boat is top notch. Going on 6 years of gravel roads and shore launches and not one drop of water getting threw the hull. All the hinges on the storage bins are like new.

My $0.02 worth.
Dodger.

Got Juice? · #30 05-07-2011, 03:23 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...adside_USN.jpg

If you buy one of these, I will even bring the beer. Should we fish for Submarines or Swordfish?