Considering Crestliner Fishhawk 1750

[Big Bobber]

For you folks that have one, what do you like or don't like about this unit. Thanks in advance for your input.

[Raider4ever]

I have a '98 1750SC FH and absolutely LOVE IT. Mine is rated for 115 and that's what I have on it (2 stroke). I saw the newer ones are rated for 125. I'm 6'2" and almost three bills, have the front end pretty loaded with tackle, batteries and stuff. I can get it to 42-43 (Used to get it to 45-47 but man, I load her up pretty good now) on the depthfinder. Never ran it with a GPS. Probably should at some point. Had a 45lb TM on at first and it moved the boat around quite well. Got a 55lb with i-Pilot for $350 at a yard sale so that's on there now. For a 17.5' boat the bow is bigger than both Lund and Alumacraft (I looked). Aft beam is 93" so it's wide enough for just about anything. Lots of space back there. Elevated rear deck. Previous owner drilled out the port rod locker so it takes 7'+ rods without a problem. Three storage units in the bow. Nice livewell (worked well before I converted it to dry storage). Baitwell on the gunnel just behind the driver (worked too before I turned that into a "junk drawer" for sunglasses, iPilot remote, snacks, spare spark plugs, etc). Really, I love my boat. I've had it for five summers now and never had a lick of trouble. I usually fish on 500 and 2500 acre lakes but have had it on 5000+ acre lakes in suddenly nasty weather and it rides nice. Never had anyone skiing off it but it pulls tubes WAY too well. Cannot say enough good things about it. I would HIGHLY recommend it. It's my FB picture (and I have a wife and kids). Hope it helps.

[Big Bobber]

Is the ride dry, and how does the 115 troll?

[walleye34]

I am not a big fan of mine. For the cost in 2001 it was a deal, they were way cheaper than a lund or alumacraft but the ride is not dry at all!! I mainly fish big water and pretty much live in my cabelas guide series raingear. unless it's hot and I want to get wet. Screws are always popping out and now my lids are starting to get soft. I am very worried my foot is going through my livewell lid this summer!

[Ufatz]

GREAT BOAT!!!

The 115 Yamaha is one of the best outboard motors I have ever been around and I have had a LOT of them including half a dozen Honda 4-strokes. I actually cannot remember how many boats I've owned, from 12' to 48' and the little 18.5 Crestliner I bought when I moved to MN has been one of the better designed and laid out boats I've seen for it's purpose.....inland fresh water fishing. Have never had it in a 4' chop and never will, but we have banged it around a bit now and then and it is tight and solid. Nothing has broken or come loose; it does not leak; the carpet is good enough; most of the gauges went to hell but they are some cheap brand to begin with. You CAN get the Yamaha instrument package and I wish I had but I don't worry a whole lot about most gauges on these smaller boats.

I would not hesitate to buy another one and have fished with several guests who were much impressed with mine.

[Raider4ever]

I have no idea how it trolls. I have never trolled for anything in my life (I get way too bored taking people out for boat rides). It gets down pretty slow for coming around to pick up a tuber or coming into the dock. Rides pretty dry, I always trim it up to the point where the spray is behind my seat. The nasty waves got me wet but they would of gotten you wet in anything not buttoned up (i.e. Tyee with side thingys). So, in a nutshell, dry ride and unknown (and will remain so) trolling capability. Wouldn't trade it for any comparable boat.

[Raider4ever]

My bow floor is still good. At nearly three bills, I know not to step on the lids. Main deck floor is still good as far as I know (at least where I sit and the path to the bow deck is). I went through all the screws for the first time two years ago and they're still tight. Freaking great boat!!!

[Raider4ever]

As per Walleye34, I personally have never intentionally had my boat in bad weather for prolonged periods so I don't really know how it does in very nasty stuff (nice thing about bass fishing...you can always tuck behind something and fish). So he may be right but I have gone through bigger waves on my way in from a budding storm and was fairly dry every time.

[Todd Caswell]

My dad had a 1650 fish hawk tiller, by far the wettest boat I have ever been in period and Iv'e been in alot of different boats, he complained about that boat for 8 years. I always figured the only way they could have sold those boats was to give test rides on a perfectly calm day.

[Queenswake]

For all those complaining about wet rides, what years were those boats? You can't say the same boat in the 2001 and 2014 model years is going to be anything the same.

[gunner55]

'02 1750 here,we bought it in '05.The main reason we got it was becauase we wanted a bigger boat plus we liked the idea of the 4 stroke Yammie 115.It was much cheaper than a comparable Lund & we didn't like the layout(frontdeck mostly) of the similar Alumacraft.We have a MK55#PD on the bow & a MK70#/24v on transom(not used a lot).Most of my fishing is done with the bowmount unless it's pretty windy(~15mph) then I will drift while using the TM to stay on course.The 115 will troll down to just over 2mph most of the time so if you use spinners or crankbaits a lot,just throw out a sock or 2.As far as the ride,having it trimmed right with enough power when I turn into the waves along with my Guidewear keep me dry.Bottom line the boat more than fits our needs & the 115 is almost bullet proof.

[zrt6]

I have owned 2 1750 fish hawks, a well built boat never had any problems with anything lots of storage space, easy to load and unload!

[Mike Wallace]

'98 1750SC with 90HP Johnson

72lb MinnKota

34-36mph with two guys and gear.

I really like the boat and it is comparable to it's peers. I modded the front deck by adding two more access doors and added a rear bench seat that will fold down to double the size of the back deck.

[ssaamm]

I have an '03 with a Yamaha 90 4 stroke. I'm mainly a bass fisherman, but fish some walleyes, too. I still like it. I usually fish by myself or with one other or my two kids. Plenty of room and the casting deck in the bow has plenty of room. Motor trolls crank baits just fine. As far as a dry ride goes, I don't know how it compares. When it's windy and wavy, I'm pretty sure it's a pain in any boat of similar size and design. My carpet is pretty worn after 10+ years. I'm replacing the carpet. If I did cough up the $$$ and buy a new boat I'd get the same one. The Larson fishing boats look kinda nice tho.

[BeezeHound]

I had a 2004 1650 tiller and it was the wettest boat I've ever been in, maybe things have changed since then tho. I loved the boat itself as far as fishing but I sold it after one year because I so unhappy with the wet ride, didn't take much of a chop to get soaked either. I ended up going with a 2010 Alumacraft Navigator 175 tiller and haven't had to put the rain gear on unless it's actually raining

[tolle141]

I have an 04 1850 DC w/ a Honda 135. It's a shallower V so it's not going to handle big water/nasty weather as well as a deep V. What it will do better is:

1. stability

2. put you closer to the water

3. Give you LOTS of casting space

Hence the reason why it's so popular with multi species anglers, especially muskie anglers. I love mine to death. I really wanted a 1750 DC, but an 1850 popped up that I couldn't refuse. Depends on what you do. If it's multi species in lots of places then you'll love it.. If it's exclusively walleyes on ML then look at something else.

You'll

[Northlander]

After riding in may chrestliners, lunds and alumacrafts, The "Big 3". I would have the Chrestliner at 3rd. Heck I would take a G3 over Chrestliners hull now. The Chrestliner was a rougher ride and wetter. Not as stable. If your looking at a tin boat in the 17-18' range look at the Lund Impact, Alumacraft or G3. Comes down to who will work with you as far as dealer in your area and the boat that fits your style.

Myself I wont buy a new boat. I will buy a 1-3 year old boat. Either non current at a dealer or from a private party.

[Chris Barlage]

I have an 03 1750SC FH with a yami 115 on it and love it. Price was much less and I like the way the inside is set up for storage and just useable space. Also the main reason I got a SC. I think mine handles the big waves fine, I have had it on ML many times and it went threw the waves fine but I did get plenty wet. For me its no big deal I expected this with a SC. That's why I have rain gear. Also I have not been in any SC boat that wont get you wet in some high waves. The motor pushes the boat great. It fits the bill great for what I need it to do and that walleyes, panfish, and some bass. The 115 trolls down ok for me when I am pulling lead core line but some times is to fast. I got a big trolling motor so I use that a lot or just put out a drift sock to slow it down if the wind is high. I would with out a doubt buy another one.

[Raider4ever]

So, in a nutshell, it looks like most everyone who didn't have a tiller boat LOVES theirs. I can't wait to get mine out. If you cast off the bow primarily (and/or have a buddy off the rear deck), C'liners are the way to go as they have WAY more room up front than the other two. My 1750 fishes three VERY comfortably (everybody at/over 6') You drive through nasty weather you're going to get wet regardless of what you're using.

[delcecchi]

So, in a nutshell, it looks like most everyone who didn't have a tiller boat LOVES theirs. I can't wait to get mine out. If you cast off the bow primarily (and/or have a buddy off the rear deck), C'liners are the way to go as they have WAY more room up front than the other two. My 1750 fishes three VERY comfortably (everybody at/over 6') You drive through nasty weather you're going to get wet regardless of what you're using.

I noticed years ago that most of the folks living (not visiting) lake Vermilion had boats with full windshields, tops, sides, and all that. Brands varied but the style was the same.

I was out a few times when the wind changed and stuff kicked up and understood why. When you are out with the wife and family visiting friends by boat, you don't want to have to suit everyone up in rain gear to get home, especially if it is not warm out.

[Raider4ever]

Well yeah, is a C'Liner 1750 an excellent big water boat? No of course not. No SC/DC is. Yes, if you LIVE/CABIN on ML, LOW, Rainey, Vermillion, etc. get a Lund Tyee. Is the 1750 going to be ok for an OCCASIONAL trip to ginormus water, yes, more than capable. Would I take mine up for the yearly week long stay at one of their resorts? Of course I would. Remember 30-40 years ago EVERYBODY was running 15-17' boats with 20-50hp tiller plants on those very same lakes. And somehow, like before bicycle helmets were required for any activity of daily living, the VAST majority of mankind lived doing so.