I am getting ever so close to saving enough to buy a new boat, so as I go thru all the options… aluminum is most likely in order right off the bat. 17'-20' will do, and preferably without a Mercury. I know some guys love them but I have one, and 3 of my closest friends/relatives have them, all newer than 03, from 20 hp to 115 hp, and all have had enough issues to make me never want another one! I have been looking for something with a large enough livewell to revive a fish, and most boats have center deck rod storage and have gotten away from it. and a side console only, the full thing would get in the way… casting room is important as you all know.
the 2 I have found are the Alumacraft Navigator 175 (wish they had it in a 185) and the Lund predator 1810 or 2010. both have a 50+ inch livewell, and my 9' rods aren't fitting in a box without modification, so I am not too concerned about that.
Has anyone been in either??? (I have fished out of the alumacraft 165 for about 6 years and love the boat but don't want to miss out on something)
I am curious about the lund, it looks pretty cool though pricey…
Also can you get a lund with an Evinrude??? (another advantage of the alumacraft 😀 )
Also am I missing anything with those requirements???
but thats what keeps me coming backI have an Alumacraft 165CS that I bought 11 years ago and I like it. It has a 50hp Merc on it and I have has no issues with the motor.
Do you have a price range? What kind of tow vehicle do you have? Will you fish big water? You may want to look at an option of Fishthanks or Just Encase for a fish box that you could place in your boat.
For what its worth one thing that drives me batty on my boat is that you cant open some of the compartments with the seats down off the pedestals. The only 3 compartments I use when the seats are stowed will not open without removing the seats. So when your looking at different boats and you find something,that kinda annoys you a little take it from me 6 years later its going to flat out piss you off.
I wouldn't call my self a Merc guy but I have had real good luck with mine and cant complain my next one will be a fore stroke though I hate trolling with the wind to my back with my two stroke
no real price range, thinking about new, but I am dutch enough to look for a year or two old and be just as happy! I will say all of the mercs run great, its been electrical issues… except the 2010 115 opti, it has never run without missing between 1500 and 4000 rpms, and they won't fix it, nor will tracker or the dealer help him out…
The biggest water I would be on is Munuscong or Elk/skeg,but normally upper chain, inland lakes, drowned river mouths, and MAYBE the occasional foray into the big lake for kings/perch. I don't troll much, so it is the least of my concerns.
Thanks for the input on checking out the hatches, Ill have to climb around them and act like I am fishing to see if anything gets in the way…
This sounds like a bunch of work, but I'd consider ANY boat, and if I really had to have the long live well I'd have one fabbed by a welding shop and incorporate it into a rear deck extension.
Then you aren't limited in your choices.
Check the livewell length of the Tracker Proguide 175. Looked at one today, and it has a long livewell in the back. Not sure how long though.
"LonLB" said:
This sounds like a bunch of work, but I'd consider ANY boat, and if I really had to have the long live well I'd have one fabbed by a welding shop and incorporate it into a rear deck extension.
If I end up finding a uses boat I really love that I can't beat the price on, I have thought seriously about this. It is just hard to wrap your brain around buying a new boat then modifying it!
I also liked the Lund pro v 175, when I fished it, the back deck extends which is really cool, so its an option, but doesn't have the livewell, and kinda takes that whole add one almost out of the picture, but that back deck gets huge and is very comfortable.
Tuffy X-190 if money is no object! Mike Hulbert is selling his 1 season old one this winter for 12k less than new. 50'' livewell, center rod storage up to 8'6 rods I think. Very sweet boat. Jason and Joel VKop just fished out of Spencers boat which is a spittin image of Mike's. maybe they have some input.
FWIW- I have a 94 Merc that has been the best motor ever. The only things I've done to it is a $20 starter gear, new oil resevoir lid. that's it, besides regular maintenance.
"Jim tenHaaf" said:
Tuffy X-190 if money is no object! Mike Hulbert is selling his 1 season old one this winter for 12k less than new. 50'' livewell, center rod storage up to 8'6 rods I think. Very sweet boat. Jason and Joel VKop just fished out of Spencers boat which is a spittin image of Mike's. maybe they have some input.
FWIW- I have a 94 Merc that has been the best motor ever. The only things I've done to it is a $20 starter gear, new oil resevoir lid. that's it, besides regular maintenance.
thanks Jim, where can I find one of these around here to look at! Its a definite option, I like them from what I have seen, actually set up for musky fishing! novel concept… but at a certain point price is an option 🙄
"Adam Minnick" said:
have you jumped in any crestliner fishawks or lowe fms? worth comparing to the navigators just not going to find the 50" livewell.
I have been in the Lowe, but not the crestliner, its one of those things I hear great things about, but is about the only brand I haven't been in yet! My neighbor sold his 17' fishhawk last summer, I think it was 06, and really looked well put together, but thats about my only contact.
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