Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
No matter what you choose, if you have the option to choose motors to some extent, get the largest displacement you can.
Being an Alumacraft fan (on my third one), I would tend to look at the navigator. I have the 165 navigator from the first year they started making the wide beam model and it is a great layout!! Easy to rig other items and run wire without any issues whatsoever. The one nice thing about the navigator tiller model is you can walk all the way around on the same level without having any trip hazard. The proguide doesn't seem to have much floor space on the lower level for the large tackle boxes, but that is a personal preference thing too. One thing I like about the navigator is pulling up to the pump to fill. Many of the stations around here have 2 sets of pumps on one lane, so you can pull up to the front pump to fill your truck, and the back pump is right where you need it to fill the boat...again, personal preference thing there.
Although the navigator does not have center-deck rod storage, you should be able to fit longer rods in the side lockers than what you can in the center rod locker of the proguide. I know the navigator went through some changes after the 2005 model at some point, and they now have rod tubes in the side lockers, but I would bet you can get close to an 8 foot rod in there.
Not all that different of boats for the most part....differences are minute really: 23 gallon tank in the navigator as compared to 19 in the pro-guide. Weight difference of only about 100 pounds give or take...
Really cannot go wrong with either boat. The one nice option you have with alumacraft is you can choose what motor you want to put on it without having to pay more. Lund...you can do it, but there is a cost benefit to staying with Brunswick products for rigging...not that having pre-rig is bad, it just limits your options.
Motor-wise, the optis had their problems when they started, but have not heard of any bad things as of late...kinks are worked out.... I don't know about gas mileage and such with those motors (nor the etecs) but either way you are getting one heck of a motor. Power to weight ratio will be better with the 2 stroke and the biggest displacement in the motor is really the best option you can go for. I found that out the hard way going with the smallest displacement engine on my alumacraft to start out with in a 90 yamaha 2 stroke...just repowered this past august with a Johnson 90hp and it is a world of difference.
I'd say navigator with E-tec... but that is me...
Steve |
