LUND VS. CRESTLINER

[trapper1]

i have a 99' 1900 Pro-V tiller (Gary Roach spec.) To be honest it's my first Lund and i"m not too impressed. Hull and transom are the best in buissness but the rest of the boat leaves a lot to be desired. The gas gauge never did work, I had to remount the radio since it was installed with acouple small wood screws, there is a short on the interior lights I can't track down and the grounding on the fuse panel had to be redone......Crestliners seem to be getting very popular and look like great rigs. How do you guys think they compare??

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trapper

[Northlander]

Most gas gauges dont work real well. I have driven in a lot of boats and to be honest Chrestliners were one of the roughest rides I ever had. Screws came loose all the time too. The price is right and they come with a lot of nice options but my Lund with the IPS hull is a lot softer and dryer ride.
If your going tin stick with Lund and then Alumicraft in my opinion. But thats just that, my opinion and Im sure others will debate this. Its sort of like Dodge, Ford or Chev. Everyone likes one of the 3 and seldom 2 or more.
Of course nothing rides like glass and my partners Ranger 620 Fisherman is one sweat ride but your looking in the $45,000 range.

[hitthebricks]

I agree with Northlander. I have a 2001 2050 Crestliner Sportfish, it has a great layout providing a lot of interior room but it does have a rough ride. A buddy just bought a 20 ft. Alumacraft Trophy, it has almost the same interior room and a little smoother ride and a lot of good quality features. Everything seems to work very well on my boat but it did in my on my 17' aluma. Competitor. Their all good boats but you'll give up something to get another feature you want

[Slugo]

I have a 1750 Crestliner Pro Am tiller. I love the boat. Sometimes the tack don't read right but a couple taps on the glass and it clears up. I've rode in bigger boats that should give a beter ride and the didn't to me and one, a Lund seemed real noisy. I've had live well and bilge pump troubles and the floor was replaced undre warrenty. all and all Id' say it has been good to me. this boat takes a beating. I'm knowen to be hard on equptment. it sits out tarped in the winter and all that. so trouble is to be expected. I do get wet in the rough stuff but I figure that is to be expected with a tiller boat.

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Crappie it's not just a fish it's a attitude!

IBOT #23

[Trailblazin]

I see and read about this topic all the time. As one other guy said, it is a Ford Vs Chevy topic.....In my opinion, since I have a Crestliner, tht is my vote. Is the Lund a little smoother, Maybe? I opted for the Crestliner becuase of the layout! I am a muskie fisherman and the layout was suited to me. Now, if I was a walleye fisherman, the Lund would be my choice.

I also just think the Crestliner's look sharper....All boats will their fair share of problems and we all like and hate our boats at the same time. I will be changing many things on my next rig that I do not have today....And that may be a Ranger 620.....

[Northlander]

Ranger 620! NICE!! Big bucks though.

[IrishZit]

I will say as a preface I own a Lund, but I try to stay impartial.

I will add this short story. I spoke with my uncle last fall about which way to go on the Lund vs. Crestliner debate. My uncle works on the factory floor of Crestliner and has for the last 25 years. He won't put down Crestliner, but is disgusted at the lack of pride in workmanship with the new workers. He is seeing a lot more returns on issues that they never had in the past. He claims they are thrown together. They do a great job of backing their product, but he sees the decline in workmanship.

This is a one sided perspective, you may hear a similar story from a lifer at Lund. Doesn’t it always seem that stuff was built better back in the day.

His advice was, if you buy new go with a Lund. If you buy 5 years ago of later, it’s a debate.

The biggest factor that would get me to enter the glass world would be the dry ride.

Northlander, I’ll have to check out your boat one of these days. I suppose I won’t see it in league if you fish out of the Ranger.

Sully

[buzzsaw]

I have a Crestliner 1850 sportfish... I have a friend with a Lund 17 ft fisherman and another with a Lund 1950 Tyee. I guess they both have things I like and dislike, as far as comparing the ride between the two brands, my 1850 sportfish rides better than the lund 17 ft fisherman and not as good as the Tyee... My thought is that it has more to do with the size of the boat?? I'm not sure the hulls are that different are they??
I also prefer by a wide margin the interior and exterior look of the crestliners.. the Lunds are decent and the Alumacraft's seemed extremely cheap... no offense to the Alumacraft owners. Just my .02 worth.

[Guest]

I guess I will throw in my opinion to this one as well. I looked real hard at new tin boats last year and after 8 months of research I decided to go glass(619) and used of coarse. I am very happy to say the least. I priced out new aluma's and lunds and my glass rig I found was cheaper by thousands and I have many more options and HP. Just like any luxury item, Ranger takes a big price drop the first few years and that 45K boat can be picked up for less then a new 1800 pro v with an underpowered 150! Think hard about the used market and Ranger boats they are second to none!

[Trailblazin]

I have a 16 ft Crestliner. Love the boat. Priced out versus Alumacraft and Lund, and hands down I saved $$$ with Crestliner. I mainly musky/bass fish, so I bought the boat for the layout.

I will be upgrading to a Sportfish, becuase I like the boats, the features, etc...Lunds and ALumacraft's are not bad choices as well - all personal preference!

[IrishZit]

Do you guys have any opinions on how the boats mentioned about hold value? It seems that Lunds do a very good job of holding value.

Sully

[Biggestfish]

Trailblazin, I too am checking out getting a Sport Fish for muskie fishing. I am trying to decide between the 1750 and 1850, I am also very impressed with the features.

As far as values go, I think most would agree you will not go wrong with either a Lund, Crestliner, or Alumacraft.

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Just Having Fun!
Love to Fish.

[TUMBLEWEED]

I have an 1850 SportFish and really like
it as a dual purpose unit. The luxury
seating set-up ("chick seats") converts quickly to front deck and rear deck
fishing platforms ("guy seats"). My only
real gripe is the lack of some good rod
lockers. I have made my own 4 rod, holder
that fits into one of the pedistal holes,
but a stowaway one that is easily
accessable and large would be my wish
for the Crestliner folks to install
on the next revision SportFish.

[Trailblazin]

Biggestfish - Go with the 1850. I have learned go as big as you can, or what you an afford. I will look long and hard at the Lund and Alumacraft's, along with the new Serenity model from Crestliner which replaced the Superhawk.

I am partial to Crestiner since I have had no problems wih mine to date (3 yrs now).
My other consideration is the Tracker Tundra, but I know the wife likes the seating options in the Sportfish for the family!

My only gripe on the Sportfish is the Rod Locker - must be bigger!

[buzzsaw]

Mr. Big eyes, Don't get me wrong Rangers are terrific boats but you are semi limited to lakes that don't have the big waves. I've been on Mille Lacs, L.O.W., Leech, Winni etc... and you hardly ever see a ranger out there... I suppose if your a bass fisherman it makes perfect sense on calmer waters right? Feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken. However I do like the sportscar ride they offer!
P.S. For you guys thinking about the Crestliner sportfish... I like mine alot and say definitely go with the 1850.

[buzzsaw]

Ha ha, It's not the first time Mr. Big Eyes!
I just was on Rangers HSOforum and they do have some sweet boats.. I thought the 190 Reatta looked good for the family and fishing needs I have. I'll have to take a closer look next time I'm at the boat show. I kind of knew I was setting myself up for a comeback like the one you gave me.

[Guest]

All in good fun! Ranger is introducing a new 185 Retta? this fall. Sneak pic's were out on the pic's part of walleye central. Max 175hp and a family style fishing boat. Might be great for family fishing/ski needs. I tell ya I wish Ranger would sponser me, or pay me for all the kind words I have for there boats.

[buzzsaw]

Do you know how much a new 190 reata costs??? I couldn't locate a price tag.

[Guest]

It always depends on options. I heard someone on walleyecentral say the new 185 retta with a 175 opti and a kicker and loaded would come in under 30k. the new Retta is going to be more fishing oriented with removable cushions and center rod storage. Flip up seats in back like the lund fisherman. The pic's are out on walleye central under recent pictures I believe. Only thing not much of a used market with these fish/ski boats.

[cd3]

just checked rangerboats.com they have a decent pic ot that 185 reatta

[Guest]

Buzz saw,
You are very mistaken! LOL! I fished Mille last weekend and Winnie the 2 previous weekends. Ranger makes a fisherman series that stomps most other rough water boats. I have been on Lake Superior 3 times this summer as well. Check out Rangers web site under multi species boats. If anything I am now limited to big water with big accesses. No dropping her in 400acre lake with a dirt ramp.

[jiggin' fool]

My .02 cents worth.

I read in these posts quite a bit about looks, accessories, etc. Although these are all important..., what scares me the most is the references to saving big-bucks. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. When you save big bucks, there HAS to be a reason!!!! So when you shop, look at what you "can't see." Check out the grade of the materials, and how WELL they are put together. All boats are NOT created equal. Even though they "look" similar, they are NOT put together the same way. They don't all use the same materials. The boat that is "cheaper" is most assuredly put together with less quality materials, and with less emphasis to "longevity". That is the determining factor in re-sale value. For example, ask the dealer who has the strongest transom on the market. Ask them who has the thickest gauge almuminum in their boats.., and how are the rivets placed??? What are the differences in tolerances???
I think you will be surprised to find out that although you are saving big bucks with one or two brands over another..., why do you think the resale value is so much higher on the other model???
There..., and I didn't even mention one brand over another.
You just need to look "deeper" than price, accessories and looks!!!!!!!

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"You should have been here yesterday"....,

[Guest]

Well said Jiggin!
Look under the compartments for finish. Are they water tight? How do the seams look? Do they flex when you stand on them? Are the gauges placed in crooked(seen it on a new boat). WE all loving fishing here, my opinion is: if you love to do something make the most of it. Could I have finished my basement with the $$ for the 619, yes! Better investment yes! Can I fish out my window nope! Have fun shopping!

[Ufatz]

For what its worth: I have owned a 1750 Fishhawk wi 115 Yammi etc. for a couple months. It is a GREAT fishing rig for two or three people. Been around boats quite a bit and I checked internal welds, wiring, general finish and fit and Crestliner makes a pretty darn nice boat for the money. I am not sure I understand comments about "ride". This boat takes a chop pretty sweetly. And when it really gets sloppy you CAN slow down ya know! HA! The instruments and instrument panel are pretty cheap **** . And I wish they had put the Yamaha controls on the boat with the Yama digital instruments etc. But its a fine fishing boat, stable as a barge and fast as hell when you need it. So far, I am a contented Crestliner owner. Would I like a Ranger? Sure. Maybe. But for most of us common sense tells us the price is not practical.