BOATS - similar to Fish Hawk

[Deet]

It seems the fish hawk is an ideal boat for my purposes. I want something 16.5 - 17.5 ft, not too deep but still good for big water, a casting deck in front, and prefer split [full] windshield. The fish hawk and sportfish both offer those options. I'm just wondering what other makes out there are compatible and possibly more affordable. For example, I've seen some nice looking used Grumman boats on a-sales-site with the right hull and layout. Anyone have one of those? What else do you recommend?

[morepower02]

The Tracker ProGuide V175 WT would be an option in the range you are looking for.

[Deet]

that looks like a nice alternative, thank you. Seems a lot less common, but if I were to find the right deal locally, I'd definitely check it out.

Are there any Fish Hawk or Sport Fish owners out there who don't like their boat?

[ib_jigged]

Lund Rebel XL's in 1625/1725/1825 although for 2012 they dropped the 1725. Or the Lund Impact in the 1675, very nice boat, almost bought one last year, but found a carry over Rebel 1725 XL sport with full windshield. I love all the storage this boat has.

[Kyhl]

Alumacraft Navigator (narrow gunnel) or Dominator (wide gunnel).

Both available from tiller to full windshield options.

[eyebjim]

I have a 1750 fishhawk from 2000. I would not buy another. The ride is very wet. All the nuts came off the screws that hold the decking on within 2 weekends on mille lacs. They used kep nuts. I had to replace all with nylocks so they would not come loose. Other than these issues it has not been bad. If I was in the market for a new boat I would either go fiberglass or find a aluminum that has a dryer ride. Even in sub 1 foot waves you get quite wet.

[FM_Mike]

I will add this. I have owned Crestliners for over 17 years and they have never let me down. ALL boats can and may have issues over time and not one company has ever made a boat line that has NEVER had an issue.

Google search Crestliner Issues, you will find very few. Then do the same for the other manufacturers.

Buy what is best for you, but just as some are sold on Lund, Alumacraft, Tracker and Lowe all very good boats some better than others and each has its fans.

With that said, I had one issue with my Crestliner, There was some wood rot on my 2000 1650. Early last year I call Crestliner, they had the boat picked up, casting deck wood replaced, and new carpet put in the ENTIRE boat since the color did not completely match. They did the carpet this without me saying a word. The Cost?? ZERO. All covered by warranty. Look at the Warranty on Crestliner and then others. Crestliner has one of the best warranty over time and will stand behind issues.

I sold the boat last year for 4K less than I paid for it new. 11 years later. Bought another Crestliner.

Good luck on your choice, there are great boat makers out there and many people may have had similar experiences with other companies. Get what you like and want, don't look back and say a year from now I wish I would have bought the other boat....

Mike

[Mr.Perch]

i have friends who are very happy with crestliner, almost as happy as I am with Tuffy. I run a 1985 Tuffy rampage. I know folks running the newer tuffys and they like them too.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Alumacraft Navigator (narrow gunnel) or Dominator (wide gunnel).

Both available from tiller to full windshield options.

These are great boats!

Also, I would look into a used boat. More for your money.

[Hoffer]

I own a 1650 fish hawk with a 75. My buddy has a 1750 with a 125.

My slightly smaller 1650 seems to ride better over waves and doesnt seem so "bumpy" quite possibly its just the bigger engine and higher speed. But my 1650 with the 75 goes around 40 top speed and his goes about 48 - so its not too much different top speed.

Anyway, as far as your question...why do you want a split windshield? The one thing to consider is that yes...for driving protection its nice. but it does take up more room and also the windshields on a windy day will act like a "sail" and its hard to maneuver with a trolling motor.

I have actually been thinking of adding a 2nd console for riders. Its smaller than a full windshield - yet will offer protection for a passenger. Just a thought.

BTW, I absolutely love my 1650 fish hawk. I cant say enough. So easy to load if its just one person - yet big enough to fish 2 or 3. I get the top speed I need for my use with the 75 and yet it trolls down to just 2 or mph for rod holder trolling or downrigging. It also pulls down the road very, very easy. If its ever time to get a different boat - which I hope wont be for a long time - I will 200% get another.

[reinhard1]

when i bought my Crestliner 1850 i had the oppertunity to get the dual consols. i chose just one [wanted more room]. of course it came with the windshield. since i bought it [2001] i had the windshield on the first year. the next year i took it off and it's been off ever since. i have a Merc 115 4 stroke on it. good speed and trolls down well. good luck.

[Hoffer]

So whats your thought of adding in a side console for the passenger side. Might be a good compromise and something of interest to the poster? I am thinking about it my self - as I think in the 1650 you can still put one in. I just havent checked out cost yet. Additionally the side consoles arent as much a wind blocker or rain blocker as are full windshields - so thats something to keep in mind. Most of the guys I know though that have the full windshield - have wished they dont have one. Less room, and mmakes for a sail when trying to troll with the trolling motor. Although there have been times coming back to the docks on a 15 mile run up in canada into cold headwinds and a squall that i would have appreciated a full windshield

[reinhard1]

for me personaly i want room. when it's cold and rainy it's cold and rainy all over the boat [i usualy stay home or on shore now ]. i've got places to put six seats. i have 4 but only use 3 for the most part. when i'm by myself i only have one up front and the one by the console. i have a habit of bringing too much "stuff" along.

as extra console just takes away space in my opinion. when my wife comes along or a buddy, that third seat comes along. grand kids like to move around and have plenty of room to sit anywhere. i had two large dogs that came along in the past until they passed. now i have a chocolate lab pup and she will also be part of the fishing trips [all of them]. so in short it's personal preferance, and mine is as much room as possible. good luck.

[Bigtom]

I added the second side councel It does take up some room. But is a nice wave blocker it cost me a little over $700. (not installed) Also I had to alter my boat cover. But you also can remove the windsheild every time.

[UKCM]

I have a 1999 Crestliner Fishhawk 1750. I love it. Yep some of the screws come up from time to time. I have had some challenges with the Seats not turning but the newer seats are different than mine. My brother has a Alumacraft Competitor in the 17 foot length with the walk through windsheild. If you like the Fishhawk you will probably like the Competitor as well. The Competitor can take up to a 150. I think the Fishhawk tops at like 125.

I would be happy with either boat.

[Sherpa]

i have friends who are very happy with crestliner, almost as happy as I am with Tuffy. I run a 1985 Tuffy rampage. I know folks running the newer tuffys and they like them too.

That's what I have too Mr. Perch. I have a 88 or 89 Tuffy Walleye Rampage 15.5'. It's my first boat and I love it. Sorry to stray from the main topic.

[Hoffer]

Is your Tuffy fiberglass? I have seen some of those too and I like the looks of those...they seem pretty deep. But i do a lot of canada fishing and pulling up on rocks etc...and I cant do a glass boat.

Back to topic...the poster who added a side console. The cost was 700 for it - how much total (install and everything).

[Sherpa]

Yep it glass. I think most, if not all Tuffys are fiberglass. I don't like putting it on the rocks but i will if it's calm water.

[CaptainMusky]

I have an alumacraft and some of my fishing buddies run fish hawks. I bought my boat 2 yrs ago and mainly after spending lots of time in other boats. I believe crest liner has changed it now but the fuel tank in the 1750 was not mounted low in the hull like other models or brands. Because of this in rough water it had some very unnerving handling characteristics. Look at splash rails on the boats you consider. This is what keeps the water from spraying inside.IMO Lund and alumacraft do a better job in the dryer ride department. For the money you get more in an alumacraft and crest liner than a Lund

[Deet]

Lots of great advice, thanks everyone. I am definitely buying used. For some unfounded reason, no offense to anyone, I have always thought that Alumacrafts are junk, but I'm hearing the contrary from you guys. Definitely will consider one. Tuffy's look great, too, but I just don't see too many of those for sale. From what I'm hearing, the Fish Hawk probably won't disappoint me. I fish muskies quite a bit, but also fish walleyes on bigger lakes, and occasionally my wife and I like to go wakeboarding/skiing. The Fish Hawk just seems like an affordable option for all-around enjoyment. I'm glad to have learned some of the best alternatives as well.

Thanks again.

[CaptainMusky]

Lots of great advice, thanks everyone. I am definitely buying used. For some unfounded reason, no offense to anyone, I have always thought that Alumacrafts are junk, but I'm hearing the contrary from you guys. Definitely will consider one. Tuffy's look great, too, but I just don't see too many of those for sale. From what I'm hearing, the Fish Hawk probably won't disappoint me. I fish muskies quite a bit, but also fish walleyes on bigger lakes, and occasionally my wife and I like to go wakeboarding/skiing. The Fish Hawk just seems like an affordable option for all-around enjoyment. I'm glad to have learned some of the best alternatives as well.

Thanks again.

Deet, there are lots of great boats out there and really you cannot go wrong with any of them. I have had the fortune of being able to fish out of most boats that are out there prior to me buying what I have now. Warrior is another nice boat option too, but finding one comparable is tough since there are few available.

Obviously you hear a lot about Lund because many of the big name guys run them, but Alumacraft has quietly become the biggest seller in Minnesota and for good reason. I have a 185 Tournament Sport (full windshield) and have fished big waters like Leech, Mile Lacs, Vermilion and small local lakes and it just flat out works in any scenario. I pull tubers and skiers without issue as well. Its a great family rig, but any of the boats others have said would work well, I just have found that for overall dryness the Lunds and Alumacrafts are dryer than Crestliner and I have heard opposite stories about Cresliner quality, but I am not going further into that as it may have been an isolated bad experience. Good luck in your decision, now is the time to start searching.

[delcecchi]

I have a couple friends with crestlines and they have been fine boats. I had an alumacraft for 16 years (82 to 98, classic 16) without a lick of trouble. When shopping in 98, I bought lund. At the time there wasn't much price difference between the 1775 pro-vee and the equivalent Alumacraft. And the alumacraft had some goofy duck embroidered on the seats.

I think any of the three boats would be fine. Depends on price, features, and how the layout works for you.

[eyebjim]

Just a follow up to my last post. Though the nuts came off my fishhawk I must say I am very hard on it. I mostly fish Mille lacs and that boat will handle anything that lake and dish out. I have been out many times in 25+ MPH winds when every other boat has gone in. In fact the nuts came loose the first time after a few days with high winds like this on Miller lacs. I dont go slow in it either. This boats hull is tuff and handling has never been an issue in any size waves. I feel very safe in the boat. I just wish they chose better nuts. My comments on the wet ride stands. It is very wet ride even in mild conditions.

[CaptainMusky]

My comments on the wet ride stands. It is very wet ride even in mild conditions.

Agreed. They could solve this by putting some splash rails on there. Lund and Alumacraft do not have this problem. Also look at the rear profile of the boat. The Lunds and Alumacrafts taper toward the outside and are even somewhat concave unlike the Crestliners who maintain pretty much the same angle all the way to the edge. The Lunds and Alumacrafts have a softer and drier ride because of this. Its a big deal to me. I fish Mille Lacs a lot too and in wind and cold it sucks getting wet which leads to a VERY long day in a hurry.

[FM_Mike]

Deleted

[Kyhl]

Lots of great advice, thanks everyone. I am definitely buying used. For some unfounded reason, no offense to anyone, I have always thought that Alumacrafts are junk, but I'm hearing the contrary from you guys. Definitely will consider one. Tuffy's look great, too, but I just don't see too many of those for sale. From what I'm hearing, the Fish Hawk probably won't disappoint me. I fish muskies quite a bit, but also fish walleyes on bigger lakes, and occasionally my wife and I like to go wakeboarding/skiing. The Fish Hawk just seems like an affordable option for all-around enjoyment. I'm glad to have learned some of the best alternatives as well.

Thanks again.

I never thought Alumacrafts were junk but I have always thought that they road harder than Crestliners or Lunds.

I still think they ride harder and I own one.

Hinges and latches seem sturdy enough. I can stand on hatches without a problem.

I've had bad luck with Mercs in the past and used to swear that I'd never own another or an Alumacraft because of the ride. Now I have both and am very happy.

I got my windshild wet once last year on Red in some decent rollers. Otherwise, it's been dry for me.