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Posts: 1
| I've been looking for a new boat and was wondering if anyone has any input regarding
crestliner boats for muskie fishing. Specifcally an 1850 Raptor. Ride in rough water?, Hull design? durability? Fish-a-bility?
Thanks |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | i had a crestliner cmv 1850 nice boat . dont know any thing abought the raptor. see if you can take one for a test drive. |
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Posts: 833
| I haven't fished a Raptor, but I run a 1750 Fish Hawk and love it for Musky Fishing. It will run in 18" of water, has a nice large front deck for casting, the rear deck is big enough for a musky guy, as well as amble storage features for baits/ etc. Easily fishes two dudes and can just barely handle 3 if they know how to cast. Plenty of room fo the longer rods as well, I carry two 9'6" customs in mine amidst other goodies. This is the single console version. It also has a decent set up for trolling. Very, very versatile for a 17 1/2 foot boat.
The only thing I would change is I'd get the 1850 so I could power it with a larger motor, but that is minor, mine will do over 40 at full speed and cruises/sips gas at just under 30 with a 115 ETEC HO.
The boat will get you wet in choppy waves or big rollers. It rides a bit higher in the water with a modified V hull.
Boat will get you wet in rough water |
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Posts: 1416
Location: oconomowoc, wi | ran an 1850 fishhawk for 5 years.. loved it! as stated above, you will get wet in waves and rollers. powered with the 115 opti. little underpowered but great on fuel mileage. |
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Posts: 349
| Used my dad's 1650 Fish Hawk the 4 summers prior to this one. For 2 people I don't know what more you could want, this boat is a perfect 2 man platform. I did fish 3 out of it on occasion and it was ok but we were crowded. Has a 60 merc efi fourstroke on it... underpowered but great on fuel. It goes 31~32 so at max HP with a 90 im sure you could get 40 mph out of it. And as stated above, always bring rain gear because you will get wet if its windy. That's my only complaint about the fish hawks. |
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | i love my crestliner. its a 98 1850 tournament.(has higher sides than the usual fishhawk) with a 135 opti on it.. with all my gear and 3 guys it will do 48 on the gps. now as for the dry ride you have to learn to deal with it unless you do a few things .. first i am running a 19p tempest plus which really lifts the boat up and i also have the rear loaded up with 2 full lakewoods and the front deck has alot of tackle too. which kinda levels it out. but now it has a much drier ride.. i have had it in 4+ ftrs with hardly any spray.. but i think the prop is doing most of this.. so all i can say is the tempest plus is the bomb of a prop
Edited by archerynut36 8/7/2012 6:47 PM
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | wow thats a heck of a deal on that boat |
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Posts: 127
| OP, i've fished out of an 1850 Raptor and had absolutely no complaints. plenty of room in the bottom of the boat and plenty of room on the platforms. boat like that can handle rough water as well. |
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Location: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin | One of my best buds own a 1750 Fish Hawk. Very nice boat to fish from. If I wasn't addicted to glass... I would consider this series. I love how wide the boat is for a 17.5 foot boat. Fishes low in the water yet you stay dry when running. Only thing he complains about is the number of plastic pieces he has had to replace. Still, I have enjoyed fishing out of it. His boat is a late 90's... some of the plastic is going to break on any boat. |
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Posts: 548
Location: MN | I had a 2000 fishhawk 1600 tiller. Fish by myself quite a bit. That boat was great for unloading and loading by yourself. Two people fishing were fine. The only flaw was rough water. Hull design was rather shallow and didn't cut through the waves very well for a wide boat. That's the only thing I didn't like about it. Your looking at a much larger different model so will most likely not have the issue I experienced with the 1600.
Good Luck |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | I have a !750 and can say alot of the same. Have three friends with 1850.s. Great for fishing out of the only drawback os the ride in rough water. Wear a rain coat. |
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Posts: 294
Location: New Jersey | I just had a guide trip in an 1850 raptor. Nice boat, very roomy. the only complaint i would have is how high you are in the bow. The floor on the bow is probably about 6-8 inches higher than my lund. I found myself having to bend at 90 degrees at the waist to do a figure 8. After 3 days of that, my back was very sore.
I am only 5'7" and i was using an 8'6" rod, so that could give you some perspective.
Other than that, i thought it was a great boat.
my 2 cents.......
Rob |
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | ToddM - 9/10/2012 1:59 PM
I have a !750 and can say alot of the same. Have three friends with 1850.s. Great for fishing out of the only drawback os the ride in rough water. Wear a rain coat.
todd, follow my setup and you will see such a much better and drier ride.. believe me im glad i did... they spray is pushed away from the hull now. and it didnt slow the boat down at all... also steve has a trip with me this year.. you should come with him and see for your self
Edited by archerynut36 9/10/2012 7:16 PM
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Posts: 98
| My uncle owns an 1850 Raptor and I run it every time we fish. Great boat to fish out of. Always dry, handles bigger waves, lots of storage, good casting space (get the casting edition not trolling if you want the space). He's got a 150 Optimax and its great. I would highly suggest it. Also, the cover system that's with it is amazing...two guys can put the cover on in about 15 seconds.
Edited by buddy lite 9/11/2012 7:24 PM
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