Boat Preferance...What make?

Post by **Alleycat** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:58 am

Hi folks, Great site you have here.
I am interested in picking up a new boat but am amazed at the selection
out there. Is there any discussion boards that deal specifically with
the boats you anglers use?
I am looking for something 16 to 17 foot range. So far I have looked
very closely at Princecraft's, Crestliners, lunds and Legends.
Any info on the topic would be appreciated.

Thanks !

Post by **DUBIE** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:09 am

Welcome aboard Alleycat

The first question is what kind of fishing are you going to do and the price range.

Post by **Alleycat** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:34 am

I should have included a Bit more info.
Bass fishing is my thing so that's consideration # 1. In addition
to this sometimes my wife likes to come along and catch some rays so
I need enough room for her to stretch out. Another thing I would
like is enough power to maybe pull a tube around when we have guests at
the cottage.
My father has a princecraft 174 Pro Series with 115 merc 2stroke. Nice
boat but I find I need more room in the bow when fishing, The seat is set
too close to the front, with the foot pedal for the trolling motor
and my own two big feet it gets a little cramped.
Power is OK but I think a 135 would be nicer. As far as price is concerned
20K is about my limit.

Thanks Again

Post by **SkeeterJohn** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:00 am

One thing i think legend has got going for it is the seat configuration at the back... Whenever you're out fishing you can open it up to have a larger casting deck but when you want to have seating there you just fold it back up... This is something i haven't seen on any other boats..

Post by **M.T. Livewell** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:06 am

Alleycat, welcome aboard.

Sounds like you are living a parallel life to mine.
The solution to get me as close to a fishing rig (bass) with all of the luxuries of a bayliner was to get a fishnski.

Now, brand new, they don't come cheap. But sometimes you can come across a good deal. Mind you, mine has a full windshield which eats up a lot of front casting area. But, I was able to spend a little more than I had planned as the wife loosed up the purse strings when I told her I could take her and kids comfortably.

Here is the manufacturer pic of my boat (same model, different color). You can get a feel for what kind of space you can get. All of the major bass boat makers have a flavor of fish and ski and usually put a little extra effort into the fish, more so than the ski.

Good luck.

M.T. Livewell

Post by **Markus** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:12 am

I'd recomend a Legend if your looking for low cost. They sell them under powered, but if your just looking to fish and be comfortable, they seem to be a good deal.

I was going to get one myself, but I spend a lot of time on the great lakes, so I went with something heavier. There are some better quality boats out there like princecraft, but if you take care of your property, I can see a legend lasting you a long time.

Post by **Wall-I-Guy** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 6:25 pm

Hey Alleycat, I'm in your shoes right now my man! I'm into my own search for the exact configuration/setup you mentioned. I want to be able to fish yet the family wants to "play" as well. That's fine as long as I get my new ride

I've checked the Legends at Hursts, PrinceCrafts at Laurentian Marine today. Tomorrow hopefully the Trackers at George's and whatever John's Marina on Mississippi Lake carries. I hear it's PrinceCrafts, but I'll make the trip anyway!

Let us know what you end up getting!

Post by **big-o** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 6:43 pm

Hey Allycat

Welcome to the board......... I have a 16.9 Legend extermentor Gennis with 90 HP. merc 4 stroke ...welded hull ,no rivits....no chines...great boat...I was talking to a ladd at the Karrs boat launch sunday...he had a Creastliner..17 foot duel console with a 115 merc,real nice set up , big front casting deck lots of storage , wide ,it also had a welded hull! i think if i had to do it over and now I've seen the Creastliner....I would have one in the driveway now. The Legend is a good boat, I've had mine out in Lake Ontario during hurricane Isabell last year

And it handled the big waves with no problem

This also my third one...

Post by **Legend** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 6:53 pm

There are a few additional considerations than have already been mentioned.

How much do you want to spend on gas everytime you use the boat?

Are you going to be trailering all the time? Sometimes? Towing capacity of your vehicle?

What are the conditions where you want to use the boat? ie. Big water, shallow with stumps, wind etc.

Storage

Maintenance and care requirements.

Boat ownership is great, but choosing to meet your specific needs can make it terrific.

Legend

ps. I really like my Legend aka. The 14 foot Battleship

Post by **fisher** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:12 pm

I am a new boater,just bought my first boat this spring after 2 years of research.a Crestliner 1650 fishhwak with 90hp Yamaha 4stk.A very well built boat,all welded.I also wanted a boat that i could use for bass for shallows,weedbeds,but safe enough for bigger lakes and rough water.I am very impressed the way it handels rough water.at the same time I can go in less then 2 feet of water with trolling motor.has a large front casting deck&the seats are awsome.the price is in your range too.if you are in the market for a new boat,CRESTLINER is worth taking a closer look.
Just my 2 cents,
Good luck on you final choice.

Post by **grumpy7790** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:22 pm

I have two suggestions:

1) Make sure you equip the boat with an engine that matches the max horsepower rating (way too expensive to ever upgrade).

2) Also get the most powerful electric motor you can afford.

Good Luck,
Grumpy

Post by **Seaweed** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:26 am

You know when I was shopping this spring I came upon a nice line of boats that I would recommend to anyone. Smokercraft are not only affordable they come with nice bundles of stuff already installed at no extra charge. Try finding that in some of the other boat makers.... won't happen.

Personally my next boat will be a Ranger. They rule the water.

Post by **banjo** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 12:54 pm

I've never been in one but... http://www.alumacraft.com/hull.html
Looks like a quality boat.

Post by **nighttroller** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 1:19 pm

Seaweed, I have to agree with you. After 3 Legends, I just bought a Ranger and they do rule!!! Not the fastest boat in its class but the ride is awesome! As far as Legends go, if you are going to get one get the GenX series (which is the welded hulls). I did have some problems with the rivets on my 2nd one but Legend covered it under warrenty. Smokercrafts are nice too, they actually make the Legend hulls! If you can spend they extra on an aluminum I would go Crestliner or Lund! Consider a 4-stroke motor has well, they are quite, good on gas and if you add a trolling plate you will save on a kicker. I had a 90 Merc 4-stroke with a trolling plate and I could troll forever on very little gas.

Post by **Alleycat** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:46 am

Thanks for the great reply's.
I have decided to rent a Legend 168 X Terminator for the weekend just
to see how I like it.
Those Crestliners are darn nice looking boats too.
Someone here at work made a good point in that if I wait to purchase
in the fall there is usually some good end of season deals.

Thanks again
Alleycat

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Boat Preferance...What make?

Boat Preferance...What make?

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