The 1750 will make a nice boat. Just run a compression check on the Merc and you will be fine. No bass and ski for me. If you want a fishing boat...buy a fishing boat. The 16 will cramp you real quick. Their best boat is the 18footer w/a 115hp. I learned long ago...buy 2 feet more than you think you will need. powdr
...I've been looking for someone's used "cream puff" all summer long... One was posted while I was at work, and I called to arrange seeing it on my way home. Sold before I got off...
If you believe you can't...you're right!
John--you're going about it wrong if you are calling "to arrange seeing it on your way home". When you have finally found just what you've been looking for, you call and say "I'll take it." or "I want to buy your boat." Then you go see it and try to be the first one there with cash.
I have owned many boats up to 48'. If you buy new, you will lose thousands of dollars before you even get it home, When you actually get serious about buying a boat you will figure all this out.
The salient point being that I looked all summer and only saw 3 boats that I would consider. and only one of those within 4 hours of home. By mid June the used market had pretty well settled out to stuff I wouldn't take a second glance at.
And I believe I made an offer on one of the boats you posted pics of, but it was ignored...
The 1750 will make a nice boat. Just run a compression check on the Merc and you will be fine. No bass and ski for me. If you want a fishing boat...buy a fishing boat. The 16 will cramp you real quick. Their best boat is the 18footer w/a 115hp. I learned long ago...buy 2 feet more than you think you will need. powdr
Point taken, but the 1650 FH is 1" under 17' and the 1750 is IIRC 3" less than 18'. Both are fully welded hulls with reverse chine and very stiff construction. Lifetime warranty on hull integrity.
All boats and motors under current consideration are factory new on showroom floors.
Been looking at boats since early spring, And I've arrived at some partial decisions.
The biggest decision was to go with Crestliner. I've heard the complaints, and seen the record of past failures. The new hulls and builds, at least the ones I'm looking at are wood free, and the transoms and hull welds are lifetime warrantied. That warranty extends to a second titled owner as well.
The decision I have left is to go with a 1650 Fish Hawk w/90 Merc, or the 1750 Fish Hawk w/115 Merc. Family finances are involved.
I can swing the 1650 FH with my own funds and not short anything or feel the urge to borrow. It is a side console with impressive space for a hull under 17'. The 1750 FH is more than I feel like I can swing, on my own, without strain or borrowing.
My wife is also excited about owning a boat, and she would prefer more space and seating, as well as a full walk-through windshield. I hate the looks and the lost deck space that a walk-through windshield brings. I feel like the entire front of the boat is pretty useless for any fishing purpose. But to offset the added cost of this boat my wife has offered to pony up the difference. And maybe the added space of the larger boat would offset the loss of deck space?
Opinions please...
Get the biggest boat you can swing, so the case of two-foot-itis doesn't strike you next season.
TV has become nothing more than the Petri dish where this country grows its idiots.
Get the next size bigger motor than you think you’ll need. I’ve ridden in a lot of boats and I’ve owned my share, never once have I or anyone else said, “I wish this motor wasn’t so powerful”. Lots of times mine or someone I was with has been a little underpowered. Bro in law bought a brand new aluminum Ranger last year and saved a couple grand by going with the midsize motor instead of the big one. It works fine with two guys but has trouble getting on step with the whole family aboard.
A wise friend told me to always buy a boat 2 feet longer with 50 more horsepower than you think you need.
Get the next size bigger motor than you think you’ll need. I’ve ridden in a lot of boats and I’ve owned my share, never once have I or anyone else said, “I wish this motor wasn’t so powerful”. Lots of times mine or someone I was with has been a little underpowered. Bro in law bought a brand new aluminum Ranger last year and saved a couple grand by going with the midsize motor instead of the big one. It works fine with two guys but has trouble getting on step with the whole family aboard.
A wise friend told me to always buy a boat 2 feet longer with 50 more horsepower than you think you need.
LOL...
Great Minds, etc.
TV has become nothing more than the Petri dish where this country grows its idiots.
Bigger within reason generally works out best. Just as important is knowing the package weight of your loaded trailerd new boat. For all the places you’ve mentioned taking it you want to make sure you have plenty of towing power or those will be long weary trips.
Osky
A woman's heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth and I can find no sign on it.
If I ever buy a fishing boat it is going to be one of these . . . Whaly Boats . . . different lengths, sizes and accessories . . . to fit every budget!
"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee
No flies on modern mercs. Yamaha being the “best” is very subjective.
What do you feel is the best outboard? I’m flip-flopping between Yamaha and Suzuki. Either one would be a 175hp. Both are 4 cylinders. Merc ProXS 175 is a 6cyl.
18' Alumacraft with a walk thru windshield and 120 horse powerplant.....you pick it.
I sat in a 17 1/2 ft Alumacraft Side Console today. The operators seat is not behind the wheel, but feels like it's offset towards center.
It was quite a bit cheaper than any Crestliner I looked at, but lacked storage, seating options and finished look on hatches and trim. Upright plastic cleats vs folding chromed. For the added price I'd cheerfully opt for the Crestliner.
Fisher a ton this year out of a crestliner 1750 FH. It was a side council. No issues I saw with it. It’s time for a new floor on it but you won’t have to worry about that with the new one. His has a 115hp Yamaha. Something you can’t do without a huge jump in cost on a crest liner these days. His is a 2003.
A 22' Sea Ark with a Yamaha. But my needs are different than most.
Originally Posted by Calvin
No flies on modern mercs. Yamaha being the “best” is very subjective.
The vast majority of the village boats on the river systems are pushed with Yamahas. You do find the oddball Honda every now and then, but their shafts are smaller in diameter making lower units weaker compared to the Yamahas. They don't take as kindly to bumping into submerged logs as well as Yamahas do.
I typically have 3 boats parked at the house. One is on the water as I type gigging fish. I have owned 9 different boats and have made money on every one. Do your due diligence on them, I’ve bought all mine used. Take care of them and keep maintenance up and they don’t lose much value.
Been looking at boats since early spring, And I've arrived at some partial decisions.
The biggest decision was to go with Crestliner. I've heard the complaints, and seen the record of past failures. The new hulls and builds, at least the ones I'm looking at are wood free, and the transoms and hull welds are lifetime warrantied. That warranty extends to a second titled owner as well.
The decision I have left is to go with a 1650 Fish Hawk w/90 Merc, or the 1750 Fish Hawk w/115 Merc. Family finances are involved.
I can swing the 1650 FH with my own funds and not short anything or feel the urge to borrow. It is a side console with impressive space for a hull under 17'. The 1750 FH is more than I feel like I can swing, on my own, without strain or borrowing.
My wife is also excited about owning a boat, and she would prefer more space and seating, as well as a full walk-through windshield. I hate the looks and the lost deck space that a walk-through windshield brings. I feel like the entire front of the boat is pretty useless for any fishing purpose. But to offset the added cost of this boat my wife has offered to pony up the difference. And maybe the added space of the larger boat would offset the loss of deck space?
Opinions please...
Some thoughts...I can't know what your finances are, but bigger is always better unless you're in prison. Crestliner is a solid boat. I don't know why you'd think a walk through windshield leaves the front of the boat useless. It doesn't. The only thing that may be a negative is the fishfinder if it's mounted under the windshield. It may only be visible from the back. This can be remedied...the simplest way being to mount another depth finder up front. Otherwise, the walk-through windshield is the best. It is far superior to the little plastic jobs sticking up in front of you. This is especially true in cool weather. Both boats you're talking about will put out some fairly significant MPH. I would definitely get a walk-through.
I think this is a terrible time to get a good deal on a boat. If you can, I would wait a year or so.
Oh he ain't gonna buy one, he has been starting boat threads every few months for years. 😁😁😁
Kinda true. But I will buy a boat...
Mirage, Please give your opinion on side console vs walk-through. Also though I can't imagine having even 6 POB, why do the 1650 and the 1750 Fish Hawks have the same limitation? The 1750 is a foot wider and nearly a foot longer...
I’d get the 1750 if for no other reason than to gain the extra foot in width. That extra width will be noticeably more stable. If your wife’s happy odds are you’ll be on the boat more. As far as Crestliner and Mercury it’s obviously not a Lund and a Yamaha but in my experience depending on how you use it it won’t make much difference. I’m a guy that babies my gear. If you practice routine maintenance and aren’t out pushing it to it’s limits or using it in a professional capacity it’s going to be reliable and work just fine for the average guy.
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