Boats & Motors

New Boat Recommendation Questions...I'd love your feedback!

3/2/26 @ 11:58 AM

INITIAL POST

lovestofishnhunt

PRO MEMBER User since 6/13/06

Hey Lake Linkers...I am in the market for a new boat. My last boat was a 14 foot smokercraft big fisherman but that has long been sold. Since then, I have been fishing out of kayaks and canoes and am ready to purchase my first new boat. I have spent countless hours researching boats and I believe I have it narrowed down to as close as I can. I am going to go with a tiller model, more for the open layout and space. I am looking at the Crestliner Pro Tiller 1650 or the 1750 and the Alumacraft Competitor 175 or the Voyageur 175. I have a few questions related to these models. If you could answer any or all of these questions, your feedback would greatly be appreciated.

1. Any known issues with newer Alumacraft or Crestliner models?

2. What marina/dealership have you had good luck with or would you recommend? Stay away from?

3. Some of these models are equipped with a 90 horse. How is it driving a 90 horse tiller? For the record, none of these come equipped with hydraulic steering.

4. Stability is a primary concern. Beam widths vary. Alumacraft competitors beam is 98", Alumacraft Voyageur is 87", Crestliner 1650 pro tiller is 86.5", and the Crestliner 1750 pro tiller is 94". How much difference in stability will I notice from a 86.5" to 98"? I understand this is relative to water conditions, but those of you that have boats in this beam width, can you comment on how stable your boat is? The largest lake I would probably fish is the Madison chain, Geneva Lake, maybe the Winnebago chain of lakes on occasion. This will be an inland lake boat only.

5. Riveted vs welded...do you have a preference?

6. What layout features are most important to you when you look at boats? Is storage a necessity? Multiple live wells? Center rod locker?

7. Those of you that have a 16 foot boat...ever want to go bigger. Those of you that have a 17 or 18 foot boat...ever want to go smaller? What size do you feel is perfect for panfish, pike, walleye, and bass with 2 anglers and occasionally 2 dogs?

Thanks for everyone's consideration to comment in advance. I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions.

POST YOUR COMMENTS

Displaying 1 to 15 of 27 posts

9/4/26 @ 9:16 PM

Jabberwalker

User since 4/21/04

Eyesman, something to think about with 3-bank chargers. Lead-acid batteries need a constant "float" charge to stay full. Lithium batteries do not need this and holding them at a high voltage for a long time causes stress. It is recommended to store Lithium batteries at approximately 50% State of Charge. Might be best to buy a 2-bank charger and a small float charger for the starting battery. I only plug my LiFePO4 (Lithium) batteries in the night before I am going fishing. They are 4 years old and I see no measurable degradation yet.

9/4/26 @ 1:52 PM

papiman

User since 8/22/22

I bought a 2017 16 ft 60 hp 4strke in 2018 i seriously no problems i just sold this same boat to my son in law runs great it was the smoker craft pro angler held up great on lake winnebago very fishable boat wide in back front comfortanle i my self shoulder problems could not handle the in and out go for it

9/4/26 @ 12:02 PM

Musky99

User since 8/8/11

Any feedback on Smokercraft boats?

A dealer has a few 25 and 26s and they seem willing to deal.

But I don’t know anything about the brand?

9/1/26 @ 8:16 PM

eyesman

User since 1/7/02

I’ve been looking at boats since last spring. My current boat is a 1991 Smokercraft 16 1/2’ deep vee with a 40 hp Mariner. It has a 60” beam. I’ve narrowed it down to a Lund Explorer 1800 tiller with a 75 hp or an Alumacraft Voyager 175 tiller with a 75 hp. Both at max rated hp. Lund beam is 93”, Alumacraft beam is 87”. Both have similar layouts. Both have a rail track system. I would give the Lund an edge in the on board storage layout and space. Lund has a wood free construction. MinKota Terrova trolling motor with spot lock and the jog capable feature, power that with lithium batteries and an on board 3 bank charger. Going with a roller trailer. A few landings I use won’t work with a drive on bunk as well as mobility issues make it difficult at best to climb out of a loaded boat. Often fishing alone I still can winch and load on rollers. I’ve also looked at Crestliner, Mirrocraft and Smokercraft but didn't care for the layout features of them as well as the Lund or Alumacraft. Now to get serious with the pricing and timing the factory rebates.

8/12/26 @ 8:58 AM

Highthrust

PRO MEMBER User since 1/21/13

I would have a hard time spending money on any Alumacraft having been in boat design for many years. The new company may fix the boats BRP screwed up. But it will take time. Most Alumacrafts you see on the the water sit very nose high. This is a design flaw. The bow catches a lot of wind and you're on the trolling motor constantly trying to keep the bow in position. Also they are a rough wet ride compared to Crestliner and Lund.

8/1/26 @ 12:57 PM

svitreum

PRO MEMBER User since 8/29/06

I'm in the process of buying a 2021 Crestliner 1850 Superhawk with a 150 Pro XS. It is a W/T with the jump seats. Seats 6 people no sweat. Absolutely love the layout. There are two spots in the back just behind the jump seats to place the second row seats for jigging/casting. I think I'm gonna have fun with this one.

Jimmy

3/18/26 @ 8:17 AM

vegas492

User since 5/21/03

One thing that I just read on here....jump seats. My $.02.

Full disclosure, my good friend has a Crestliner Fish Hawk, 18.5 footer with a 200 Pro XS on it.
I thought jump seats were a "gimmick". Until I got into his boat. The four of us (couples) can all ride around in there and be comfortable. Those seats are great as they stow away into part of the deck. And with his boat, there is a lot of storage built in/around those jump seats.

I've got a Ranger 619VS. No jump seats. Just the back "U", but I do have a removable casting deck. When I get 4 into my boat, I either have to put in the two extra pedestal seats, or my passengers have to sit on the livewell or on the "U". I'd much rather have jump seats than the extra storage in the corners of my "U" on my Ranger. It's just so simple for riding comfort.

And the 200 Pro XS makes that boat absolutely fly. It'll go around 60 mph.

There's just a lot of better storage in that boat than there is in my Ranger.

3/18/26 @ 7:31 AM

lakeshiner

User since 7/20/09

I had an Alumacraft 1675 Competitor before. If I were go redo that transaction, I would have spent a little more and got the Trophy instead. After a while I was missing the wider gunnels.

I also could never get the boat to ride correctly. I had a 90HP on it which was the max. I even took it back to the dealer and they were not any help. Normally you can trim a motor up to bring the bow out of the water, but with that boat it would just porpoise really bad. I would hardly have to trim up for that to happen. I pretty much drove around with it trimmed all the way down. I've had a lot of boats and never experienced that before, in my opinion it was really bad. The dealer talked about distributing weight, etc, but nothing helped. They said the motor was mounted in the correct holes. In all honesty I never had to mess with weight before. Past boats would be fine regardless, could have people in front or not, didn't matter. I tried all that with the Competitor and nothing helped.

I bought a Lund Crossover now and its a night and day difference between the two. I can trim up until the prop comes out and it doesn't porpoise, which is how every other boat I had performed besides the Competitor. Not sure if there is such a thing as a lemon boat in terms of riding, I found it odd the dealer said no one else complained. Or no one else knew how to drive a boat...

3/13/26 @ 3:32 PM

lovestofishnhunt

PRO MEMBER User since 6/13/06

icefitchin,

I appreciate the heads up. I really wish Crestliner would provide options in their hawk and fishhawk models other than jump seats. I don't need them and would rather have a bigger livewell personally. I like how Alumacraft gives three options this year for 1 huge livewell, 1 smaller livewell and a storage box, or jumpseats and a livewell. I feel like the jumpseats just take up too much room into the cockpit area when you already have pedestal bases and are equipped with 3 seats as it is.

3/12/26 @ 1:49 PM

icefitchin

PRO MEMBER User since 12/13/03

Not sure if you’re interested

I’m selling a like new 2024 Crestliner FishHawk 1750 platinum. VERY low hours (I believe less than 15 hrs on motor.). I have mercury vessel view to confirm hrs. It is a console steer.

I’m going to post in classifieds this weekend. Happy to provide more info if needed.

3/12/26 @ 11:07 AM

Graceonpoint

User since 10/24/17

I own a 16 1/2 footer console Lund and buddy has 17 1/2 Tracker beam difference is in the neighborhood you describe. Stabilty wise not a huge difference but there is so much more shoulder room in his boat with the wider beam. IF I was fishing with couple of people and dogs on occassion I would definitely only consider the wider beam if money isnt an issue.

3/11/26 @ 12:36 PM

GRANDAD

PRO MEMBER User since 6/1/09

It really depends on where you fish! Big difference between a 161/2 tiller and 17-18with a Counsel!My 161/2 LUND Explore Tiller has been flawless for20 years! Originally had a 50 MERC 4Stroke,Then changed to a50 ETEC. That puts Me,my Wife and 90 lb. Lab on plane with No problem! Friend has same size Alumacraft with a 50 Yami and he struggles ! I FISH THAT BOAT IN 3 ft. Marshes and 200 Ft Lake Michigan,Green Bay,and anything in between! WEATHER PERMITTING! I know you can’t get a two stroke anymore,so cannot recommend any motor brand,but the Lund boat has proved itself to me!

3/10/26 @ 11:57 AM

vegas492

User since 5/21/03

Speaking for Crestliner and Cedar Lake Sales.....if you are interested in a console, they have plenty of Pro Staff members that can get you out in one of their boats and see how it handles.

I'm assuming that Lund is the same way.

You have time, jump in a boat and see how they work on the water.

And I will say, no matter what you get, get the max horsepower. No one complains that their engine is too strong. And resale value is better when it is at max horsepower.

3/8/26 @ 6:30 PM

rpole

User since 6/18/01

Awesome! you are getting closer, very exciting. but sounds like you may have thrown a wrench into your own process also? lol

I see the 1650 is rated 50-75. A 60 tiller should push that pretty good but I don't know anyone that would say to not max it out. it's obviously a to each their own thing and what they want/are doing and expect for the future. the jump in motors and boat size is obviously a big $ jump also.

there's a BIG difference (obviously) between a side console 18' and a tiller 16'! the best advice I can give is.....don't settle an don't rush/impulse buy. it's early March, lotta time yet. got back, if you can, 2 or 3 times or more! and look at and spend time in everything you're interested in. bring your best/most common fishin buddy and have a beer or 2 sitting in them talking things through. (hell, where you looking, I'll come have a beer! haha). the worst thing you can do is have regrets after a really big purchase.

advice 1b, think long term. I've unfortunately made mistakes with boat buying, some dumb on my part, some from inexperience being younger and not knowing and some weren't really 'mistakes' but life changes and with that so does the size of the boat! haha and it goes both ways smaller to bigger/bigger to smaller.

sorry for rambling, hopefully this helps some and also others that may read it and are looking for a new boat. over the 40+ years of my boat swapping and owning more boats than I'd like to admit I think I've hit just about every situation possible, good and bad!? lol

last note, you mentioned 2 guys and 2 dogs. have the 4 of you fished out of a 16' boat with gear and everything? I don't see how you would regret an 18' if it's a reasonable option???

3/7/26 @ 3:31 PM

lovestofishnhunt

PRO MEMBER User since 6/13/06

Cliffhanger alert! I went to look at Crestliner pro tillers today, specifically the 1650, but I'm a little bit concerned that a 60 horse will have a hard time getting me and another co-angler up on plane. I then went and looked at the new Lund Explorer models and I think that may be the one. I really liked the side console 18 footer. I loved the layout, loved the vinyl (no carpet anywhere). It seemed to have everything I wanted and nothing I didn't. I think that may be the winner. We shall see. I was h*** bent on a tiller...not sure now.

Displaying 1 to 15 of 27 posts

Boats & Motors

New Boat Recommendation Questions...I'd love your feedback!

lovestofishnhunt

Jabberwalker

papiman

Musky99

eyesman

Highthrust

svitreum

vegas492

lakeshiner

lovestofishnhunt

icefitchin

Graceonpoint

GRANDAD

vegas492

rpole

lovestofishnhunt

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