What to buy-alumacraft trophy-crestliner sportfish-lund fisherman

[MossBoss95]

I am looking for a new boat and have started to do my research. I have looked indepth at the Alumacraft trophy 175 w/115/140 suzuki and 2xb hull. I have heard the hull makes a real difference in ride and performancs(any comments). Also the lund and Sportfish are in the search but I am leading twards the Alumacraft.

Any input from owners or people that have been in both would be great. It is a lot of money and just want to be sure.

Thanks

[kpj5br]

You'll never be totally sure...

But if it helps, I have a sportfish, so I'll tell you a little about my experience.

It's a wonderful boat, if you're planning on taking the family out recreational on occasion in addition to fishing. It truly is the best combination you can get of the best of the fishing world plus conversion to a family hang-out boat in about 2 minutes, in the price-class.

Performance, ride, fishing features, all are great.

The only one thing that you give up with this boat as opposed to a "pure" fishing boat is the best rod storage. Today's best fishing boats have center hull rod storage, so you can store and organize 20 or more full-size rigs. Because of the conversion qualities to a bow rider in the sportfish, you have to give this one quality up. To me, it's worth it, because I like to keep the wife happy too!

If you're willing to go without that, I highly recommend it as the best value in the price range.

If you want to spend more, I have to admit that Ranger (new this year) now has the best sportfish-type boat out, but add on about another 15-20K on top of the crestliner to get it.

A lot of my friends have the sportfish, and every single one, inluding myself, is extremely happy with it, again, if you can live without the great rod storage, I can't stress that enough.

[8-Ball]

I concur- I too have a Sportfish and it keeps the family and I content-versatile boat for all recreation on the water...

[ChuckN]

MossBoss,

I can only comment on the Alumacraft line. My father has an Alumacraft Trophy 175 with a Yamaha 115 4-stroke. Excellent combo. I was surprised how well that motor moved the boat. (40-42 mph GPS)

The Alumacraft rides excellent, and handles big water nicely. I've owned a Tournament Pro 170 also, and I liked that boat a lot.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, but each of them definitely have their differences. Find out what layout and style you like and pay attention to details. Personally, the 'Crafts appealed to me better. More boat for the buck.

[Mister Twister]

If you don't mind me jumping in on the questioning side, What can the two of you who have the sportfish tell me about horsepower,out of the hole, rough water, and top end performance? I'm kinda stuck between that boat and a pro-sport. Thanks.

[buzzsaw]

I'll also lean towards the Crestliner sportfish 1850. I had a 2002 w/Mercury 125 HP 2 stroke that I traded in for an '05 Crestliner Sportfish w/Yamaha 150HP four stroke... I love this boat and have been in alot of the Lunds, which are also nice. In my humble opinion the Alumacrafts are made a bit cheaper on the interior items which you can see easily by comparing all three of these boats. You can save money buy purchasing the Alumacraft if thats what your looking to do.

P.S. The new Ranger combo that was mentioned earlier is the REATTA and is sweet!! It was less four grand more than my setup and I really considered it!!

[kpj5br]

I run a 150 HP Merc 2-stroke and a 15HP Merc kicker on my 21 footer. Rough water ride is awesome, just cuts right through it, although I usually do it stand-up style because I don't have air-ride seats.

Hole shot is also good, gets on plane in under 3 seconds.

Top speed depends on conditions, but I have had it well over 50mph GPS on smooth water.

[marknamy]

I have an 04 1750 Sportfish with a 140 4-stroke Suzuki and love it. I chose the Cliner for the 17 degree welded hull. My wife chose it for the creature comforts. I'm sure you'll enjoy what ever you decide on. Just make sure that when you are comaring Cliner, Lund, and Craft you are comparing apples to apples.

[8-Ball]

I have the 1750 Sportfish and have been happy w/ it. If I had to do it over again, I would have spent the extra $ for a 115 or 125- I chose a 90 hp Johnson. It does fine- but is the minimum rated for this boat, and if you are on this site much, you will see many hits about not underpowering your boat-which is what I did. Just the same, it is fine out of the hole w/ a few adults on board, in my opinion. Top end w/ just me in the boat is 42. We take the kids tubing, the wife pulls me no problem skiing, it cuts through rough water great. I agree w/ above opinions- Alumacraft is a little less in interior quality than Crestliner, and is narrower across. Lund is ok, but the Sportfish is a good 6-8" wider-might not sound like much, but believe me, it makes a difference. The padded seats in front convert to a wide casting platform in 5 seconds. The pads are an additional $400 w/ Lund. The fuel tank is larger in the Crestliner also. Plus, the fact the hull is welded (no rivet popping) and has a 20 yr. warranty vs. 10 yr. from Lund-made it an easy decision for me. Like I said, go with as much hp as you can afford-I know I will do so on my next rig. Good luck. 8-Ball.

[wisconsinfish]

Not sure about the other 2 boats but if you are planning on a crestliner and run large lakes, Plan on tightening all of the screws in the boat after a couple of outings. We run on lake of the woods in 3' waves for a couple of days and get out the screwdriver afterwards. We tried lock-tite on the ones that have nuts or go into metal, and it helps a little.

One of the downsides of aluminum i guess! I fish out of a fish hawk 1850 with a 150 rude.

[LocalGuide]

I fish out of a Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185. I love the boat I think its better than the crestliners out there.

When dad and I were looking around for boats we were stuck between a crestliner 1850 fishhawk or an alumacraft boat. A 1 year old 1850 FishHawk and a 1 or 2 year old(forgot ) 185 T-Pro were pretty much the same price at two different dealers.

Well after test driving each of the boats on a local lake we decided that the Alumacraft TPro was a sweet boat. The ride was smoother and more sturdy in that boat it came with more extras and all the equiptment on the inside is definitly durable, trust me I tested that one a few times.

But as between a Trophy and a Sportfish I couldnt really comment on which is better from actually being in one. I think the rod storage is better in the Trophy than the crestliner.

But Id say you will just have to go with what you like from sitting in the boat and maybe driving one.

[Fish Head]

Moss, I thought you were traded to Oakland? Just kidding. I don't know if it helps, but I just purchased an Alumacraft last week. I purchased the Navigator 185 with a 140 Suzuki. I was looking at the Crestliner Fish Hawk and the Lund Explorer and the Lund Mr Pike also. I eliminated the Crestliner pretty quick. Mainly because the Fish Hawk didn't have nearly enough room (which doesn't effect your decision), but also because the Fish Hawk just seemed to be put together so cheaply. The doors didn't open and close nice and everything just seemed to be made cheaper.

I don't think that is necessarily true about the Sport Fish. I have a good friend who purchased an 1850 last year and his seems to be better made than the show floor models of the Fish Hawk that I saw.

From everyone I spoke to- Alumacraft has the best ride. I’m convinced that 2XB hull is the best.

My advice- pick the boat that is laid out best for your needs and don’t skimp on the motor.

Good luck!

[Shorelunch]

I himmed and hawwed over 18' Trophys, Sportfish's and Fisherman a couple years ago. At first I was leaning towards the Trophy especially for price. After I did more homework and sat in all three boats until most dealers knew me by name I did an about face. I chose a Fisherman - I consider the Fisherman and the Sportfish 1A & 1B quality-wise as there's things I like about both. As Buzz mentioned earlier, I think the interior of a Trophy is a step behind the Fisherman and Sportfish but the hulls are made well. However, the Trophy's generally cost a few bucks less. Since all three are made well, I'd base your decision on 1) what boat you feel most comforable in, 2) apples to apples dollar comparision and 3) dealer service. You really can't go wrong with either.

Just my 2 cents. . .

[buzzsaw]

Shorelunch, Right on brotha!!

[Fish Head]

Buzz- Are congratulations in order?

[slabberknocker]

I bought an '04 175 Trophy last year with a 140 Johnson on the back. THis has been a tremendous boat. Handles the big waves well, gets on plane fast and it has the best hull on the market. I too was looking at the lund fisherman and the crestliner. After sitting in the Crestliner and and talking to people, hearing stories I quickly dumped the Cresliner idea. Screws always comming loose, numerous windshields comming off if going across rough water, the walk through door not closing ect. I dont think Crestliners interior is nicer than an Alumacraft. I could not see any thing wrong with the Lund. The Trophy and Fisherman are both excellent boats. You will get a lot more extras with the Alumacraft. Like people mentioned before you do get more bang for your buck. It would have cost me 3-4000 dollars more to put in the boat what the Trophy had. I do not see that much money in diffeence between the two that is why I went with the Alumacraft and could not be happier.

Slab

[State Farm Man]

Bought the 19' Trophy last year with a 150hp Yamaha, 8hp Yamaha kicker. Love the boat and especially the motor. I also looked over the other boats and decided on the Alumacraft. The ride is great! I think any of the 3 you are looking at are great boats. I don't think you'll be disappointed no matter what one you purchase.

[YumYum]

Why I won't buy Alumacraft:

1. uncomfortable seats

2. a certain TV fishing personality drives one

3. the live wells; long enough, but way too narrow

4. a certain guy from "the Dakotas" advertises them

5. they aren't as good looking of a boat as Lund or Crestliner

6. oh and did I mention, because they are a ---- ---- sponsor?

[buzzsaw]

Fishhead, Thanks for asking! We had our second child last wednesday... a little girl that we named Caitlin. Her 2 year old brother Ryan is very fond of her and mom and dad are red eyed and puffy faced from a lack of sleep.

To all boat owners.... I would hope your happy with the boat you have, after all you spent alot of money to get one! It sounds like alot of varying opinions, I'm personally happy that not everybody has a Crestliner like I do... although I see more of them on the water than any other boat.

[danfall]

Hard for the newbie to decipher the last post. Care to expound?

D

[SteveWilson]

Last year I looked at Alumicraft, Lund, Crestliner, and Ranger. The Ranger I was looking at just didn't have long enough rod storage to tempt me (6'). The Crestliner Sportfish looked the nicest but IMNHO the front casting deck was very unstable and had way too much flex for my liking. The Alumicraft was nice but didn't do much for me and had lower resale value. The 18' Lund Fisherman just had the best combination of features and feels like it's build quality is just much better than the Alumicraft and Crestliner (especially Crestline). With the removeable carpeting and a couple of Johnsons (140efi and 9.9 4 strokes) on the back it's a real joy to use, even when you get caught out on Millac's when the wind decides to kicks up a bit

[buzzsaw]

Danfall, first off glad to have a newcomer to the site! The first paragraph was for a specific person who asked about the new addition to my family and the second paragraph was in reference to the thread topic.

All it was saying is that it is nice that everybody has someting different or it would be very boring looking at the same boats.... and then I said even though I see more Crestliners on the lakes I go to than Lunds or Alumacrafts... the Lunds are a close second... but I believe in Northern Minnesota it's probably more Lunds. Does that explain??

[crewdog]

throw my vote in for crestliner. it's beem a great boat. love the yamaha motor (gonna hate to see every boat with a merc on them, but that another debate) and haven't had a problem with any loose screws like others. I've been very impressed with the dealer service and finally it was those creature comforts the sold the mrs. into forking out that kind of money for a boat. plus its been a great platform for cruising the lakes as family.

[bmc2b]

I bought a fisherman 1700 last fall with johnson 140 4 stroke(suzuki). I have been very happy and had no regrets. The motor is nice and quiet, idles low very well, and more fuel efficient than my old 90hp 2 stroke. Its been great to fish with and ski with. It does have trouble getting me out of the water on one ski, but I weigh 240lbs. Have been very happy with the combo.

[anchor man]

bmc2b,

do you know what your top speed is with that set up? I'm interestd in the exact same boat and motor.

[bmc2b]

I hit 48 when lightly rigged, (no trolling motor/extra batteries/equipment) and with only myself in boat. Otherwise I run aroun 42-44mph.