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Posts: 2
| Evening gentleman. First time poster, long time Muskie fisherman. Currently in the market for a new boat and this one has caught my attention. Wanting to stay 16' because of garage storage. 17' is just a bit too much. I'm wanting the best bang for the buck in a 16' boat. Fishing solo 50% of the time and with a buddy the other 50%. Homewater lake is Cave Run with a trip to LOTW every other year or so. Interested to see if anyone has any first hand experience with this boat. Likes, Dislikes, etc. Other suggestions in this class/price range? Boat is priced to me with a 60hp mercury. A 75HP maxes it out. I'm a stickler for maxing out the hp....is that wise here also?
Thanks in advance. Looking forward to hearing everyone's input. |
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Posts: 716
Location: Livin on a Prayer. | Good morning Whopper. I'm not too familiar with Crestliner boats, but I'd say that you are good with the 60 Merc tiller if its a 4 stroke, on a 16 ft boat. I've enjoyed several rigs, and I like being around them...never heard too many bad things about Crestliner. I am lucky to own and restore an older 17' Lund Angler with a 60 tiller, and its got all I need, and I fish alone alot also. I moved down from a 19ft Pro V beacuse of my age, boat size, weight, etc. I love the fact that this size class is easy to manage in and around the water, alone or with another guy. I can get out on water that others can't. A really good trolling motor is also important for boat control as much as the Merc 60, in my opinion.
For the money and space, I'd say you are good to go, if that hull is in good shape.
Hope it works out for you. |
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| I have a nephew who runs a 16 foot Crestliner with a 60hp Yamaha. Fishes Green Bay a lot for musky and annually goes to St. Clair. Well made boat. Obviously you have to use common sense relative to weather. |
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Posts: 172
| I have a 17 foot crestliner vision. First: I prefer welded boats. I dont want to mess with rivets. I have a 115 on mine. With 2 people and a full just encase I peak around 35 mph. The only thing I dont like is the rail system. A track mounting system would be preferable. |
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Posts: 112
| Running a 1650 Crestliner Pro Tiller with a 75 Merc now. I've always liked Crestliner's fit and finish as well as the front decks. Running a 4 blade prop. On plane very quick. Did not notice much top end loss at all. 38 mph generally on the speedometer. Has the 24 volt system so running an 80lb Terrova. Plenty of storage. Have not been on a lake over 1500 acres with this particular boat yet. Planning on a NW Ontario trip next year. This is a bigger boat than I ran way back in the day when I used to go to ONT regularly. I also prefer a welded boat. Cannot say if it is stronger or weaker than a riveted boat so I will put this in the "looks better" category for me. When looking, the 75hp and the 24 volts were a must for me. That said no experience with a 60hp on this boat. If all else is to your liking including price, a 60 should get the job done IMO. I am pleased with the boat and would recommend if you are looking at a 16 foot tiller. |
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Posts: 2
| Thanks for the replies gents.
R/T.....my only concern is the rear casting deck....or lack thereof....what are your thoughts on the rear deck? Is there room to stand it does the guy in the rear fish from the floor? |
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Posts: 112
| Mine is a 2014. I just looked on the web site at the new model and can see that the back deck is smaller with the splash well being larger. In the 2014 plenty of room on the back deck. The 2026 appears smaller in the pictures. It looks like quite a bit smaller so would need to actually stand on it to have a good opinion. When I was a teen I stood on a bench seat to muskie fish so it's doable for a younger or medium to smaller guy I would think. |
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Posts: 112
| Another point I will make is the 2014 Merc 75 Four Stroke weighs 399lbs. This was the last year of this version with the 2015 model trimming 40lbs. Looks like a new 60hp will come in at 260lbs. I am also running 3 lead acid batteries. Switching out the Minn Kota charger this year to accommodate lithium batteries. I believe this can take around 100lbs off the boat. Just need to man up and pay the price for the lithiums. |
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Crestliner Pro Tiller....first hand experience?