New boat search help
mastical
Posted 3/1/2015 1:04 PM (#756699)
Subject: New boat search help





Posts: 568


Location: Lake St Clair
Hello all

The time has come for me to get my own musky boat this year. I still learning what boats are better than others, brands etc.
Looking to spend around 10K.

Theres a few Smokercrafts and Lowes in my area but they dont have the best layouts.

My wants:
Deep V
large front deck
17' +/- 1'
No tillers or walk thru windshields, prefer single or double console.
70hp min
Itll be used on LSC so it was to be rough water worthy

I really like the 1750 fishhawks and Lund Pike but id also like to see what else is out there that i am missing.




Trophyseeker50
Posted 3/1/2015 3:19 PM (#756717 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help





Posts: 791


Location: WI
I have a alumacraft 175 tournament pro. Single console and good layout. Has a 135 opti on it and does 46-47 mph with 2 guys and gear. I believe it is the perfect boat for versatility. I fish small water all the way up to Green Bay. Can cast three well and trolls well. I was contempaiting selling it this year for about 10k. You may find one near you
ToddM
Posted 3/1/2015 3:39 PM (#756720 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help





Posts: 20219


Location: oswego, il
The three boats just mentioned will do the trick. Boattrader and boats.com are good places to start.
mastical
Posted 3/1/2015 5:50 PM (#756746 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help





Posts: 568


Location: Lake St Clair
Good call on the Alumacraft and i was only searching CL so now i have two more sites.

thanks guys
Paul S
Posted 3/1/2015 6:22 PM (#756753 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help




Posts: 228


Location: Tinley Park, IL
While I don't have first hand knowledge, Fish Hawks supposedly do not give a very good rough water ride. I have researched the 1850 extensively and I have read that many, many times. For rougher water I would suspect the Alumacraft will give you a better ride.
curleytail
Posted 3/1/2015 8:25 PM (#756784 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help




Posts: 2687


Location: Hayward, WI
As mentioned Alumacraft is a good option as well. I have an Alumacraft Navigator 165 - the older version. The new version of my boat is now called the Classic. Handles rough water well for it's size and has a great layout for muskies and quite a bit of storage. Should be able to find older models for around 10K.

Some older fiberglass boats could be a possibility in that price range too. Maybe Tuffy, Warrior, or Yar Craft.
mastical
Posted 3/1/2015 8:51 PM (#756789 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help





Posts: 568


Location: Lake St Clair
Cool thanks guys.
bigred2198
Posted 3/2/2015 7:18 PM (#756944 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help




Posts: 397


+ 1 on the navigator I have the same boat lots of room and you can pick up a nice one at a reasonable price
Chain Gang
Posted 3/3/2015 1:59 AM (#756996 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help




Posts: 489


If fishing clair strongly consider glass. It can beat up aluminum boats bad.
ToddM
Posted 3/3/2015 6:48 AM (#757000 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help





Posts: 20219


Location: oswego, il
I will disagree with the lsc comment. Been out there in a glass boat. They are nice but once the waves get above 3ft with swells, your bow to the sky slow or crashing and pounding some serious waves. My crestliner between 18 and 23mph wil ride up and down and not pound. Same thing on lake Michigan. Much rather have that ride. Did a crash and pound across anchor bay in.a.fiberglass one morning and it broke off the transducer on his trolling motor.
mastical
Posted 3/3/2015 5:32 PM (#757128 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help





Posts: 568


Location: Lake St Clair
thanks for the comments

The boat im coming from is a 1989 16' tracker with a 25hp and a 70in beam and its not even mine to begin with i just use it all the time but ive had enough of it. Im greatful for him letting me use it but it borderline unsafe some days. Anything over 10mph wind and i get wet and beat up bad. Dont forget the pleasure boat madness that goes on out there

So anything of the caliber of what was mentioned above would be 100X better
lennyg3
Posted 3/4/2015 9:19 AM (#757222 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help





Posts: 483


Location: NE PA
I have an 18' tracker targa and it works well for what you mention. Can be had for a reasonable price as well.
Masqui-ninja
Posted 3/4/2015 9:27 AM (#757224 - in reply to #757222)
Subject: Re: New boat search help





Posts: 1247


Location: Walker, MN
I'm not sure if you would be interested in a center console but good used ones can sometimes be had at your price point. I traded mine in last September and the dealer is still trying to unload it. There is a very small market for these here in MN.
Clarson3
Posted 3/10/2015 1:22 PM (#758655 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: RE: New boat search help




Posts: 41


Location: Madison
You described a tuffy pretty well there. 1700 or 1760
mastical
Posted 3/10/2015 4:04 PM (#758697 - in reply to #756699)
Subject: Re: New boat search help





Posts: 568


Location: Lake St Clair
Yea i love the 1760s

Just need a little more $ on my end