entry level boat, lunker 16?

[fishingguy]

Looking to get back into summer fishing and am looking at a 88' alumacraft lunker 16 with a 35 hp johnson tiller. Anyone have one? Give me your thoughts on this boat for an entry level boat? This age and style of boat fits my budget. Any imput or thoughts is appreciated.

[riverrat56]

fishingguy, does this have the side livewell and the front/rear benches, along with some storage on the side?

I have fished out of a Lunker 16 before with 3 people and is was a nice little set up for the lakes you will be fishing. Not the deepest boat but also deeper than what you have now, it's a good compromise for the area lakes IMO.

If the price is right go for it!

[PurpleHaZe]

I fished out of a 1995 lunker for 9 years, I live in Duluth and never had a problem with any water around here including Lk Superior. Just sold it a few weeks ago and when it left the drive way. I thought maybe he wont like it and will bring it back..haha Anyway back to your post, Its a great boat and that 35 should move it well. Have fun with it and keep your line wet and tight

[fishingguy]

riverrat, I have personally not seen it yet. I plan on looking it over sometime tomorrow. The guy did say it has a livewell on one side and a rod/storage locker on the other, with 3 pedestal seats. So my guess is it is the open version?

I'd like to get into something a little bit bigger and deeper. But you know how it is.

Thanks for the opinions so far, keep them coming!!

[CatfishBanker]

I have a 94 Lunker V16. Its a good boat, actual length is 16.5 feet. It works pretty well in skinny water, but I do get wet in big water. Mine had the standard three benches. The middle one was split so you can walk through and had a livewell on one side and dry storage on the other.

This year I put in a casting deck with the livewell underneath and moved the side dry storage up against the front casting deck. I also put non skid material on the floor and added a middle pedestel seat.

I have a 25hp, should move well with a 35hp. Probably low 30s. You will not regret getting this boat over the standard 16ft without a floor.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Looking to get back into summer fishing and am looking at a 88' alumacraft lunker 16 with a 35 hp johnson tiller. Anyone have one? Give me your thoughts on this boat for an entry level boat? This age and style of boat fits my budget. Any imput or thoughts is appreciated.

Ok, here is my take on your boat:

The good: it is a good value and do many things well. If you buy it for a good price, you can use it for several years and sell it for what you paid (maybe).

The 35hp will be perfect for you. Lots of power and bullet proof. Easy to find parts and repair if needed.

The bad: It is a semi-Vee style hull and will ride rough. The newer boat like the V16 has more "V" all the way to the transom. Makes a difference not only in ride, but in resistance to wind blowing you around.

Bottom line: go for it and enjoy it

I bought one new in 1985 and finally sold in 2006. Lots of good times.

[BoxMN]

What WIWF said

My Dad bought one new in 82, but with merc 50, and we sold it in 87. We bought it back (same boat) in 2000 and turned it into our duck hunting boat, but still use for fishing. I now have at our cabin and will fishing out of it tonight

We used it on everything from St. Croix to Mille Lacs, calm to really rough water. Great boat. It is a "kidney buster" over the chop though

It is also a great boat to "rehab" when the time comes. FWIW, here is our boat being rehabbed, some may have seen this from other discussions, but it shows the insides of the boat you are looking at. Check floor for softness, as many boats that old will be getting soft, especially if stored outside.

82 Classic 16 changing into a duck boat...

We had livewell under the seat, and rod box on the port side, but removed them for more decoy space We also made the front deck (above gunwales) larger so better place for troll motor and also you can sit or even stand on it much easy and safer.

Also, I have a 25hp Evinrude, basically same motor, and it is easy to work on and parts are cheap. Runs great, but a little rattley compared to newer motors, but no biggie.

Go for it!

[solbes]

Sounds like a good rig. If the price is right go for it. I do agree with others that there is some benefit to a deep V boat vs semi-V. Under most conditions though that rig will work great!

[fishingguy]

So I looked at it today. It is in very good condition for a 20 year old boat and motor. Started right up and motor ran smooth. It does not have any benches. 6" or so raised front deck. It has live well on left and storage locker on right. 3 Pedestal seats, front mounted trolling motor, and includes 2 batteries, x97 lowrance, and 1 6 gal tank.

I take it from the responses that it would be a good starter for the right price. What is a good price? Thanks again for all your imput to this point!!

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I got 3500.00 for my '85 Lunker 16SS; 50 merc, Garmin 240, Minn Kota 765 bow mount in 2006, and it was pristine.

I will post a picture once I find a new source for my online pics. Auctiva deleted mine!

[fishingguy]

Thanks to everyone for your imput and experiences so far. I have spotted a second boat, and would sure appreciate your opinions and thought on it as well.

An 89' or 90' 16' lund rebel, with a 30hp evinrude with elec start. I looked at it just a little while ago. Looks in good condition, with normal nicks and scuffs of a 10 year old boat.

Just by my eye(with out a tape measure), seems a bit bigger, deeper and wider than the alumacraft lunker. Both boats are in the same price range and it appears that they both are near the same condition. Only major difference is the motors. 89' 30hp evinrude, vs a 86' 35hp johnson.

Before buying anything, I of course will take them both for a test run and put them thru the paces.

Sure would be greatful of everyones opinions. Thanks again!!

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I believe the 30hp motor is the same as the 35hp motor. Somewhere along the line the manufactures started rating HP at the prop instead of the power head, thus the difference.

If the Lund has more "V" to the bottom, I would choose it over the other.

Beyond that, which one matches your tow vehicle better

[boatfixer]

The rating change started around 1983. The main difference between the 30 and 35 is the carburator. Both are solid engines if they have been treated well over the years.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

My 1985 50hp merc was renamed to a "Classic 45" a couple years later. Same motor, different rating.

[paceman]

I have been fishing out of an 86 lunker 16ss powered by a johnson 40 also from 86 for about 5 years. It is a great fishing boat for the lakes I fish around here. Plenty of room for myself and my two little kids. I have a 44 pound Transom trolling motor that is plenty of power. I have fished in some pretty rough weather and the boat works just fine. By myself I zoom along at 31-32 mph. That is plenty fast for me. I have thought about upgrading but I really don't need to. I would recommend them to anyone, especially for a startet boat.

[Queenswake]

My parents have one from the early 90s with a 40 HP tiller. They are great fishing boats with a great price. Like others have said, their main drawback is not enough V in the hull for rough waters, but for us, who fish mostly smaller water, it's great. Light to tow. We are getting ready to replace the floor in ours, but that's to be expected of any boat of that age.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I got 3500.00 for my '85 Lunker 16SS; 50 merc, Garmin 240, Minn Kota 765 bow mount in 2006, and it was pristine.

I will post a picture once I find a new source for my online pics. Auctiva deleted mine!

Here is a picture of what I had:

1985 Lunker 16SS

[fishingguy]

WIWF, thanks for the pic!! And thanks to all for your imput and experiences!!

I have looked at a few boats and test drove, Lunkers and rebels for example. I've decided to look for a boat a little higher in price and a bit bigger. Something more stable in rougher water. I will start a new thread on this subject and get more imput thanks again to all!!