Posted 2/20/2013 4:32 PM (#619089) Subject: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 410
Location: With my son on the water
I have run 16 &17 aluminum boats all my life with no problems and I primarily fish Muskie's on LOTWs and Wisconsin. I have seen and heard about the advantages of glass so that is what I would like to go with. Too big is not always better in my book (initial cost, storeage, & fuel consumption with gas going to $8 a gallon on LOTW this year) I have narrowed it down to the 1760 GC esox with a 150 hp or a 1700 esox with a???? (115 ProXS, 115 Opti, or 125 Opti)
I am looking for feedback on which hull 1760 or 1700 pros and cons, and if I go with the 1700, which motor?
Posted 2/20/2013 4:56 PM (#619101 - in reply to #619089) Subject: RE: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Both are good big water hulls. The 1760 is somewhat better because of a more advanced running bottom and is a bit more stable at rest for the same reason. I fished a 1700 (16'10" nose to transom) for the last two years, and used them around here in the Rhinelander area and on a couple trips to MN. It's a good two man, and somewhat limited but workable 3 man ride. It's a +or- either way depending on conditions a 40 MPH rig with a 90. If I was buying a 1700 today, I'd rig it with a Merc 115 4 stroke.
The 1760 fishes more like an 18' boat. It's been a few years since I owned one, but the ride in that boat is excellent, speed with a 150 at 50 MPH +, and fuel economy at 4300 and 40 MPH loaded no different than the 1700 at WOT with a 115 at 40 MPH. The extra room and front deck length is nice. Of course, the price difference is quite a bit going with a 150, but not all that much with a 115 Opti XS, and the 1760 is low 40's with that engine. If I was getting a 1760 Esox Deep V today, I'd rig it with a 115 Opti XS.
Posted 2/20/2013 9:06 PM (#619185 - in reply to #619089) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Location: Not far enough north!
Ive got a 1760GT with a 75 opti. Cruises nice at 30 with three in the boat. Will hit about 34-35 on a long run. The hull is fantastic. Rides high when on plane and sits nice and low for casting. Another advantage is the 36 gallon tank. Last year on LOTW for eight days I only had to buy 10 gallons of gas. Probably would have been fine without it but we hit a lot of spots the last few days... A 115 on that hull would be more than adequate.
Posted 2/20/2013 10:04 PM (#619207 - in reply to #619089) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 279
Ive got a 2011 tuffy 1700 with a 115 optimax by myself and a light load it hits mid 40's but I usually cruise around 28-32. Nice smooth ride for a small boat. I love that boat, but if I had the money no doubt I would buy the 1760. Its only a few inches wider beam and a half foot longer. I had the chance to buy a used 1760 with a 150 on it and kinda regret the decision. The 1700 has a 20" transon and I believe the 1760 has a 25" or whatever transom. The 1700 only has a 20 gallon tank(Wish that was a little bigger) and I think you would also running on bigger water.
I ran my 1700 on vermilion for two weeks last year one day the waves were very serious and I would have rather had the 1760, then again my brothers 1825 lund wasn't the best either. It was a very dry ride at a slow pace.
Again I think if you have the money go for the bigger boat/motor most nobody likes to settle for smaller if they can afford the bigger boat. And I think if I could do it again I would like a 4 stroke. Even though the optimax doesn't use a lot of oil, to decent gas mpg, and it doesn't smoke at all.
Posted 2/21/2013 8:45 AM (#619273 - in reply to #619207) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 7084
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs
I ran a 1700 in the past and currently run a 1760. The 1700 is the boat you go with if you can't afford a 1760 (or can't tow it, store it, etc). Don't get me wrong, the 1700 is a fantastic little boat, but the 1760 fishes ALOT bigger than the 1700, ie. a lot bigger than the extra length would lead you to believe. You will be able to fish 3 more comfortably, store more in the boat, and handle bigger/rougher seas.
Posted 2/21/2013 5:04 PM (#619549 - in reply to #619089) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI
2 years ago i ran a 04 1700, last year i got a 07 1760 GC esox and in my opinion there is absolutely no comparison! the 1760 fishes way way bigger than the 1700 and the esox back deck is very nice. If you can afford it go with the 1760. you will not regret it. mine has a Merc 115 4stroke and runs 38-40 mph, kinda wish it had a 150 but this motor runs great and pushes the boat fine.
Posted 2/21/2013 9:11 PM (#619612 - in reply to #619549) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 159
1760s kinda have a cult following around here,
I bought an 04 Osprey 1760 single console 3 seasons ago with a like new 150 Opti-
Man I defy anyone to not fall in love with this boat---I fish alone most of the time--take the passenger seat out-and you have the best Musky layout ever!
Boat is really fast with the 150--low 50s...-great hole shot--really smooth stable ride---everything just screams quality---looks killer in the black sparkle metal flake!
They do come up used--but usually don't last long---like the others have said--the 1760 is a lot of boat--rough water just breaks the waves---a good choice---I'm sure the 1700 is really nice as well---I love the way they look on the water--have never fished out of one.
Posted 2/22/2013 5:36 AM (#619641 - in reply to #619612) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 410
Location: With my son on the water
I just want to say thanks for all the great reply's and really confusing the heck out of me. HA HA.
I have one more concern with the 1760. Is it too big for a guy to handle alone??? Eventually I will get older and I don't want a boat that I can't handle at a boat landing when I am alone? See my concern and what do you guys think about that?
Right now I am leaning toward a 1760 with a 150 4 stroke if it is not to big.
Posted 2/22/2013 7:47 AM (#619659 - in reply to #619641) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 5874
With the TuffTrail bunk trailer, you won't have any problem at the launch alone. Get a routine and stick to it, whether alone or not. These boats load and launch easily with this trailer.
Posted 2/22/2013 10:13 AM (#619693 - in reply to #619659) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 206
Add-on question about the 1760 versus the 1700... Is the freeboard on the 1760 a little too high for flippin' and lippin' bass at the side, and the casting deck a little too high for doing figure 8's?
To me, the 1760 always struck me as more of a walleye boat because of its depth - but maybe not. Would like to hear from those that have a 1760 and if you can easily bass/muskie fish in both big and shallower waters..??
Posted 2/24/2014 6:48 PM (#693868 - in reply to #620782) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 410
Location: With my son on the water
Well it only took me just short of a year but I finally made up my mind and put down money today on a 1760 GC esox w/150 four stroke Merc and a Pro Kicker.
In the last year I have looked at a ton of boats. The Tuffy web page and brochure says the rod storage is only 8 ft but when we stuck a tape measure in it was actually closer to 9' That was a game changer for me.
We had a list of things our new rig needed to do and the Tuffy filled all my needs. (Big water boat, not too big one guy can't handle it, single axle, 36 gallons of fuel, amply dry locking storage, good rod storage, appears to be high quality construction with Kevlar, a shelf to store rods on each side, cock pit big enough to store a net next to the port seat, competatively priced (now comes the electronics) This will probably be the last boat I ever buy so I hope it is what I am expecting?
Posted 2/24/2014 6:53 PM (#693871 - in reply to #619089) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
It will be. That is the best overall hull in the Tuffy line-up. There's really no downside to running that boat unless you are going to be on HUGE water all the time.
Posted 2/24/2014 10:50 PM (#693934 - in reply to #693871) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 11
Is it possible to put a 9.9 pro kicker on the 1760 model? I wasn't able to do that on my 1700, tried lots of different mounting options but just not enough room on the transom for the big motor (115 Opti) to turn. Called the factory for advise but was told it wasn't recommended to add a kicker due to the extra weight on the transom, listing problems.
Posted 2/25/2014 2:30 PM (#694087 - in reply to #693868) Subject: Re: Tuffy 1760 or 1700
Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL
btfish - 2/24/2014 6:48 PM
Well it only took me just short of a year but I finally made up my mind and put down money today on a 1760 GC esox w/150 four stroke Merc and a Pro Kicker.
In the last year I have looked at a ton of boats. The Tuffy web page and brochure says the rod storage is only 8 ft but when we stuck a tape measure in it was actually closer to 9' That was a game changer for me.
We had a list of things our new rig needed to do and the Tuffy filled all my needs. (Big water boat, not too big one guy can't handle it, single axle, 36 gallons of fuel, amply dry locking storage, good rod storage, appears to be high quality construction with Kevlar, a shelf to store rods on each side, cock pit big enough to store a net next to the port seat, competatively priced (now comes the electronics) This will probably be the last boat I ever buy so I hope it is what I am expecting?
Please post some pics when you pick her up! Congrats on a great boat...
Tuffy 1760 or 1700