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[QUOTE]Shep - 6/30/2006  11:40 AM

I do agree with you from the standpoint of producing a muskie boat being for such a small market. Especially when trying to compete with the established muskie boat company(s). Crestliner tried it, and basically failed. Tuffy has the best configurations out there for muskie boats, still. They have made some huge improvements the past 3 years. The boats sit in the water better, they have added a new hull, have completely composite materials, and new lockers and rod storage. They have rigs to cover all types of usage. Still, the Esox Magnum is about as good as I have fished out of for the typical nothern lake. Be tough to fish Mille Lacs when she's riled up.

The Fishhawk Muskie edition had a bigger livewell, and some integrated lure storage, and a decal, but was a poor attempt at a muskie boat. I talked with the Crestliner rep at length in 2002 about the new Muskie Edition they were coming out with. Too much extra money for a decal. Before that boat, Crestliner had a great V-hull they called the CVX182. LandyR had(has) one, and this boat was great for muskie fishing, It rode like a Crestliner, as in a bit rough on the big water, but overall, a pretty good boat. Had a blast on Sab Bay one October week fishing out of it.

My Lund Angler SS was a great boat for muskies. Great in the big waters, too. Had plaenty of deck up front, and the back casting platform while only 16 or so inches wide, when coupled with the side lockers, was plenty big. Nobody ever complained back there. Plus it made for a great trolling boat. Anybody trolling with remote throttle and shifter controls is missing the boat. They should be using the Trollmaster for speed control.

The Ranger Multi Species are pretty nice to fish from. None of them are specifically muskie configured, unless you get the rear casting deck adder. They do a Muskieized bass boat, but that just has a bigger livewell. Still, I don't think I want to be in a bass boat on Green Bay, or Mille when they are riled up.

I guess my point is there are a lot of great boats out there, multi specie boats, that work great for muskie fishing. I don't think there is a big enough market for a muskie only boat. Tuffy has a couple Muskie only boats, and they are doing well with them. I'm not sure if they make as many as they used to before the new Deep V's came about. Not sure PolarKraft won't end up going the same route as Crestliner, and basically abandoning the concept due to lack of sales.

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Shep

Posted 6/30/2006 11:40 AM (#198838 - in reply to #198821)
Subject: RE: Looking For Feedback.....

Posts: 5874

Luke, gotta disagree with you on the front baitwell thing. I fish eyes as much or more than muskies, and know lots of eye guys. Not ONE of them like that front baitwell in the Rangers, or the Lunds, or the Tritons. Not ONE, and I am talking hundreds of people here. IMHO, I think Ranger made a mistake when they forced that baitwell on everyone. To a man, they would all rather have that longer storage on the one side. I agree with them. Same with the Lund and Triton. Lose the baitwell, it's only used for garbage.

I do agree with you from the standpoint of producing a muskie boat being for such a small market. Especially when trying to compete with the established muskie boat company(s). Crestliner tried it, and basically failed. Tuffy has the best configurations out there for muskie boats, still. They have made some huge improvements the past 3 years. The boats sit in the water better, they have added a new hull, have completely composite materials, and new lockers and rod storage. They have rigs to cover all types of usage. Still, the Esox Magnum is about as good as I have fished out of for the typical nothern lake. Be tough to fish Mille Lacs when she's riled up.

The Fishhawk Muskie edition had a bigger livewell, and some integrated lure storage, and a decal, but was a poor attempt at a muskie boat. I talked with the Crestliner rep at length in 2002 about the new Muskie Edition they were coming out with. Too much extra money for a decal. Before that boat, Crestliner had a great V-hull they called the CVX182. LandyR had(has) one, and this boat was great for muskie fishing, It rode like a Crestliner, as in a bit rough on the big water, but overall, a pretty good boat. Had a blast on Sab Bay one October week fishing out of it.

My Lund Angler SS was a great boat for muskies. Great in the big waters, too. Had plaenty of deck up front, and the back casting platform while only 16 or so inches wide, when coupled with the side lockers, was plenty big. Nobody ever complained back there. Plus it made for a great trolling boat. Anybody trolling with remote throttle and shifter controls is missing the boat. They should be using the Trollmaster for speed control.

The Ranger Multi Species are pretty nice to fish from. None of them are specifically muskie configured, unless you get the rear casting deck adder. They do a Muskieized bass boat, but that just has a bigger livewell. Still, I don't think I want to be in a bass boat on Green Bay, or Mille when they are riled up.

I guess my point is there are a lot of great boats out there, multi specie boats, that work great for muskie fishing. I don't think there is a big enough market for a muskie only boat. Tuffy has a couple Muskie only boats, and they are doing well with them. I'm not sure if they make as many as they used to before the new Deep V's came about. Not sure PolarKraft won't end up going the same route as Crestliner, and basically abandoning the concept due to lack of sales.