Ok, New hear. I am in the market for a newer boat (an upgrade from a '90 Champion) and have become very interested in 2006-2008 Tuffy 1700s Osprey or Esox versions. Im a muskie fisherman and am looking for a boat that can fish three. I have found a couple in the $17,000 - $21,000 range but have a couple questions.
Is there any difference between the Osprey and the Esox other than the rear casting deck? Ive already learned that I can place a deck in an Osprey for around 800$
Can three fish comfortably out of a 1700?
How fast would a 115 or 135 push push it?
My old bass boat can go into a couple feet of water can a 1700 do that?
Last question, my old champion handled waves and wind while trolling with complete ease and I have fished out of several aluminum v-hull boats (Lund and Lowe) in similar condidtion and I could not keep the boat where i wanted it because it was lighter and becasue the sides where taller and caught the wind more. My question is, will the same thing happen in a 1700 since it sticks out of the water a little more letting the wind catch it and make it hard to troll or does the added weight of fiberglass help keep it from drifting?
Thanks guys, and sorry about the length!
Curly
Posted 3/3/2009 8:52 PM (#364032 - in reply to #364022) Subject: RE: Tuffy 1700 question
Here's what I know about a 1700...
I purchased new a 2001 1700 Esox Deep V Tiller (older interior design, now upgraded to new style) but it is/was the same hull to the best of my knowledge.
It was a very stable fishing platform, handled wind/waves just fine. I was very comfortable in that boat in any conditions that WI waters would give me. My home lake is 6,000 acres and will blow up legitimate 2+ footers with a South or Southeast wind on a somewhat consistent basis. The 1700 tracked behind the trolling motor very well with a 65lb Minn-Kota Power-drive AP.
Far as wind blowing it around... It did better than any aluminum boat of similar size, not as well as a bass boat as they are very low profile, but was most certainly a very nice fishing boat for most conditions.
The 1700 is a great way to get a good performing fiberglass boat with a great value to price ratio.
The cool thing about Tuffy boats is that their hulls have always been great performers. Over the years some changes have been made to the interior layouts to make them more fisherman friendly. They also seem to stay on the cutting edge with composite technology, thus keeping them up with their competition in terms of trying to consistently improve their products. Fit and Finish has also improved over the years. Newer models like you are looking at seem to be holding resale value better as well. Cost / Value ratio is attractive, and if you need a part you can call a dealer or call the factory and they will send it out to you. And you don't have to press 1 for English
When it comes to boats from regional builders like Tuffy, Yar-craft, Warrior, etc. They are as good or better than the others IMO.
I think one of guys that hangs around here even trolls for Salmon on Lake Michigan with a 1700 consol model.
lambeau
Posted 3/3/2009 9:47 PM (#364042 - in reply to #364022) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1700 question
yes, the Tuffy deep-v hulls handle the waves pretty well.
Posted 3/3/2009 10:23 PM (#364050 - in reply to #364022) Subject: RE: Tuffy 1700 question
Posts: 7038
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs
I ran a 1700 for a year, so maybe I can answer some of your questions:
Is there any difference between the Osprey and the Esox other than the rear casting deck? Ive already learned that I can place a deck in an Osprey for around 800$
*yes and yes. I had the back deck extension, very nice. I liked it not only to give the fisherman or wife in the back more room to stand on while fishing, or to lay on while reading, but it makes for a great place for storage for those items you will not be reaching for on a consistent basis. Things like life vests, fire extinguisher, tool kits were nicely hidden in the two compartments that the back deck comes with.
Can three fish comfortably out of a 1700?
*yes...and no. three reasonably sized men and/or women who carry a normal to minimal amount of stuff will fish out of the boat comfortably. three large men, with gear, dressed in heavy winter clothes will not. remember, the boat is only 16'10", so if you have that back deck extension, you are going to need to stow the majority of your baits and gear in the compartments. the compartments will hold a ton of stuff, but when you have 3 large lakewoods, and someone's extra cooler, you're going to run out of cockpit space. in terms of standing and casting, yes there is room for three.
How fast would a 115 or 135 push push it?
*i won't put a number on it, but fast to very fast would be accurate. i ran a 90hp 4-stroke suzi on mine and it would hit 36mph or so with a passanger with me. the 90 suzi is known as somewhat of a dog on top end speed, but i've seen a 1700 with a 135hp go full speed across the lake....very fast.
My old bass boat can go into a couple feet of water can a 1700 do that?
*yes. i could float mine in a foot and a half of water.
Last question, my old champion handled waves and wind while trolling with complete ease and I have fished out of several aluminum v-hull boats (Lund and Lowe) in similar condidtion and I could not keep the boat where i wanted it because it was lighter and becasue the sides where taller and caught the wind more. My question is, will the same thing happen in a 1700 since it sticks out of the water a little more letting the wind catch it and make it hard to troll or does the added weight of fiberglass help keep it from drifting?
*a 1700 does not actually have very high sides when sitting in the water. i'm attaching a picture of two of us fishing from a couple years ago, and you'll see that there really isn't as much high-sided freeboard as you would imagine from looking at one on the trailer. i trolled mine on Lake Michigan, and though I didnt fish in anything larger than 2' well-spaced big lake waves, i did not find that i either got wet while trolling, nor did i get blown around by the wind. on smaller lakes, when the wind whipped up, i could get up on plane and ride over the waves. very dry ride.
And, the reason I no longer run a 1700...I moved up to a 1760!
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Posted 3/3/2009 10:44 PM (#364053 - in reply to #364022) Subject: RE: Tuffy 1700 question
Thanks for the advice guys, that last pic is very cool. If anybody else has any thoughts let me know, all advice is welcome! Thanks again!
TJ77721
Posted 3/4/2009 1:35 PM (#364131 - in reply to #364022) Subject: RE: Tuffy 1700 question
A Tuffy dealer told me that an Osprey and an Esox 1700 have different hulls and the Osprey will sit a litttle higher in the water. Is there any truth to this?
lambeau
Posted 3/4/2009 2:06 PM (#364146 - in reply to #364022) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1700 question
the 1700 is the same exact hull in either version, and will run at speed or sit at rest exactly the same. the trimline is either "Osprey" or "Esox", and the difference is that the Esox has the rear casting deck.
Posted 3/7/2009 9:02 PM (#364846 - in reply to #364146) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1700 question
Posts: 432
Location: mpls
I currently run a 1760 tiller and could not ask for a better boat!! I have had mine in some REALLY big stuff, and have come through fine!! In my opinion the hull is the best hull in that size range for big water. If you are a troller- you will appreciate the track on the 1760. Even in bigger stuff, you don't get blown around. I have fished three out of my boat on a number of occasions,including a week in Canada with my Dad and with a BIG Dane(you know who you are ). It was fine.
I won't hestitate to buy another when it's time! I love my Tuffy!! If you live in the MPLS area- I'll give you a ride (pm me).
Tuffy 1700 question
). It was fine.