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Posts: 271
Location: davis,IL | I have a 1750 Fishawk and have never had a problem in rough water, any boat gets a little wet riding in 3+ footers and a good cross wind. I've had mine in 4+ footers, a little wet, but rides and handles consideribly better than my fathers sylvan.
Edited by muskydope 2/22/2008 10:19 PM
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Posts: 457
| Cowboyhannah - 2/22/2008 9:41 PM
Pal of mine bought a 1750 Fishhawk...I was FLOORED at the amount of water that comes over the side of the bow when running in moderate chop....I'm talking LITERALLY GALLONS of water each time we hit a wave....had to duck down onto the floor and he twice needed to pull off the throttle b/c he wears glasses and couldn't see....two times out that happened...anybody else with that model experience that?
Every time I've fished out of a buddies FH on a reservoir here, it has been that way. Though, to me, that isn't as bad as the ride itself with the boat. The hull just isn't built to what I would want. I'm not going to knnock on the boat really hard, though. It's a reasonable rig at a reasonable price, and being able to look beyond the little things is sort of essential.
Again, however, for the same (or less) money I would really encourage a guy to look at the lowe boats. Some of the newer models that I've seen, even fished out of that 178 that made me smile ear to ear when I heard the price, I was really impressed. THe thing that sold me on the Lowe over the FH, was the ride alone. It was MUCH smoother, and more comfortable, in rough water than the FH. Like I said, I'm really considering it for a couple years until some student loans are paid, and keeping it, and getting another Tuffy. |
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Posts: 97
| I run a Ranger Cherokee 237, and the fishabilty is great. You do get a litlle wet on bigger water, but it has served me well. |
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Posts: 109
Location: Spencer, Wisconsin | I purchased a G3 last summer (V170) and love the boat. In the past I fished out of a Crestliner, Princecraft, and a couple other aluminum boats, bottom line they all have their great points but the reason I settled on the G3 is the storage space, working space and mostly the design and comfort. I scored on a mega discount when I bought it in 2007 since it is a new-2006 model.
So shop, shop, shop and i'm sure there are several good used boats out there! |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Being an alumacraft man, I will put my vote on that line....
If you are looking to stay under 10K, I would definitely take a hard look at the Alumacraft Navigator Classic, or the Lunker 165 CS. My previous boat was the Lunker and it did very well. Maxed it out with a 50 hp motor and it could go through anything. The Navigator classic is a bit wider (I believe an 80 inch or so beam, and will take up to a 75hp motor. Layout is very similar to the Navigator 165 (the new 2005 model that was on the showfloors in late 2004. ) Front Livewell, dual rod lockers that should take up to a 7'-6" rod length. and if you want narrow gunnels, this is it...you can mount rod holders on the side and they are never in the way. you can get right next to the gunnel in the stern and it is extremely comfortable to fish from.
If you spend some time looking for the Navigator classis (or the original navigator) you'd have a really nice rig for easilly under 10 grand.
Steve |
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Location: Hartford Wi | Love My lowe ..More room than anyone can ever need all deck , wide and stable great mid size boat.. |
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Posts: 620
Location: Seymour, WI | Here's an update to my muskie boat shopping.
I've been spending alot of time crusing the internet boat classified ads, visiting the local boat dealers, and I made it to a couple of the local boat shows. I've been learning quite a bit about both boats and motors.
There's definately more to learn than I thought there would be. I really think there are quite few aluminum boats that would make for a great muskie fishing layout.
Here's a list of eight different boats that are all very similar in their layout, storage, livewell space, seat configuration, rod locker space and horse power ratings.
1. Crestliner Fishhawk 1750,
2. Alumacraft Navigator 175
3. G3 172
4. Lund Explorer 1700
5. Sylvan Explorer 1700
6. Fisher 17 Pro Avenger
7. Lowe FM 175
8. Tracker Targa 175.
The two motors that I think would best power one of these rigs would be either an Evinrude E-tec or Mercury Optimax in 90- 115 Horsepower.
Now it's just a matter of finding the right combination of boat, motor, trailer and price.
Grass,
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Posts: 332
Location: Michigan | Another one for your list. Mirrocraft 1751 Aggressor.
I have run a Lowe for the last 5 years and it's been a good rig but i'm looking hard at this Mirrocraft for my next boat. http://www.mirrocraft.com/boats/prolevel/aggressor.php
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| I fish out of a 2003 1675 Lund Explorer with a 90 Yamaha 4 stroke console. It's a super boat, next one for me will be same hull, only tiller model on the 90. I think I'd look really hard at Crestliner on the next go round too. Really sharp rigs that ride and hold up well. I'm in no hurry to get out of my package now, it's plenty of boat for me on Georgian Bay, French Rivers, Nipissing. When it's rough enough for me, it's usually plenty rough enough for the guys a few feet longer or shorter. Rough water's rough water, all depends on the pounding you want to put on your body and your rig. I wish my boat had bigger livewells and lids to match. I hate having a big livewell with a lid half its size. All I want it for is to hang baits and lug minnows around for walleyes in May. There are lots of good options today, and I can tell you as most guys would, new rigs are HOT lucky their first few years, they really are. Nothing better than good fishin in the new ride, it always seems to go that way the first couple seasons. First two esox in my Lund were 48" muskie on Nip and a 43" pike on Georgian Bay. Good luck in your search. |
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Posts: 72
| We have a Smoker Craft 168 Pro Mag. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | I take it you decided to spend a bit more than your allotted $10K? All of the boats you mention are in the upper teens to low 20s with the two motors you have picked out.
Steve |
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| 2005 starcraft c star 166 wih a a sixty horse or larger. I have one with a 60 Merc 4 stroke and love it!  I believe the hull is very similar if not the same as the Crestliner. 32 gallon fuel tank, I can easily get an eight foot rod in the rod locker, need to try a 8'6", don't think I can do that without bending it some though. And she handles rough water pretty well. This will fall around your 10K budget used. This boat is rated to 125, which I believe would be a CRAZY ride, but it is what it is, mine will do about 34 on the GPS the way it is with two guys 3 tackle boxes a big Kahuna and all the other crap we throw in there.  Also for double duty it has little jump seats in the rear casting deck that work great for the kids when it is family time. How many of these other boats have that rod storage, fuel tank, price etc.? Maybe if I can find some good pics on this computer of the boat I'll post them. Only complaint I have is the nose runs a little higher than I had hoped, good trolling motor makes up for that though. Good luck, and don't worry you'll love whatever you buy as long as the motor runs good. |
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| http://www.starcraftmarine.com/index.php?page=seriesdetails&hullid=...
Since most of you have never looked at a starcraft. One weakness is they don't have the warranty of some of the other larger manufacturers. |
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| I've ownwd a 1750 and now a 1850 fishhawk. They are laid out very well for what I like to do, but the 12degree deadrise is the compromise in why they are a little rougher in big waves. Most of the other boats mentioned here have a deeper or steeper deadrise which cuts through waves a little better.
I know of a well cared for 1750 with a 75 merc. It's a 98 and the price is 8500.00
It's in Minot ND at a local dealer. I actually was going to buy it but decided to go up to a 1850 for the next one. |
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Posts: 190
| Well.... Mine.
Alumacraft navigator 175 cs.
graph on front graph on back x15 on dash 8' rod lockers on right 7.5 on the left. Nice casting decks front nd back.
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Posts: 294
Location: Bloomer, Wi | I have a 2003 G3 180 hp powered by a 115hp yamaha, so far it has been a great boat. Lots of room(single console), lots of storage, wide beam, handles water nicely. The 115 shoots it outta the water extermely quick, 50 mph top end. Side walls are very low (never hit them with the rod when using jerkbaits or anything). Basically Im very impressed and would recommend this boat to anyone. |
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| I have a navagater now but had a 16ft 95 Dominator before good boat low side's.Realy easy to control if you fish small to mid size lake's.Had 70 johny on it good speed, large side live well at lest long. |
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Posts: 357
Location: Long Prairie, Minnesota | One other thing to make a note of is to try and get the boat with the max HP hanging on it. Whatever it is rated for, try to get as close to max as possible. |
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Posts: 8781
| Much less crispy than your last boat, with the added benefit of aluminum being sightly more resistant to flame than fiberglass. |
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Posts: 618
Location: Bloomington, MN | If you are looking for fishability, a tiller is the route to go. I've had a Princecraft Holiday DLX for the last 12 years and actually still like it! I've upgraded the boat over the years, but have had no problems with its performance or durability. I can put it in and take it out on very shallow ramps by myself due to a roller trailer, and fish Mille Lacs in some heavy stuff. I will not run the entire lake when the weather is bad, but with the use of a transom trolling motor, splash guards, and a wind sock, allows me to fish a spot relatively effectively. Having a limited income or what we want to spend does hinder what we want, but I do fish a few bodies of water where a big heavy console (esp. by my waderless self) would be impossible/embarassing. The Holiday is 16' 2" with an 82" beam. It is a light boat, so a 40hp 4 stroke moves it fine, and doesn't eat up as many dead dina$aurs! You will take a beating as in all smaller aluminum boats, but I'm sure there are folks that get sore in their 20' glass as well (not as bad in the back of the boat!...partner needs a helper monkey, and you may limp like Festus...but hey...you still have your Princecraft hat unlike Mr. Ranger pants!). I did put in a raised deck (the newer ones come with it, but are not as raised as I did "mistake"-tough on fig 8's) a bow mount trolling motor with the electronics, but I'm still too lazy to move to the front when I'm by myself, and prefer the transom low to the water, tight to the rail, Figure 8 spot! Remember the cost of the happy "well...I need this" add-ons, you only need a livewell if you fish transport tournaments, and dock rash is what all good muskie boats proudly display without their owner's lack of sleep! Dress up a hull that will work for you. Good luck, and post a pic of the new "Lungecraft"!
Edited by Clark A 4/14/2008 9:53 PM
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| Im looking at a 1999 1650 Fishawk with a 90 Honda 4-stroke. I've read that even 1750's may have a problem with weight distribution at the stern with the big four stroke. Any comments? |
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Posts: 348
| heres my river jet 1760 90/65 80lb minnkota auto pilot boat tops out at 35mph an runs 5 inches of water.
http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx201/LEHIGHMUSKIES/002-3.jpg
http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx201/LEHIGHMUSKIES/003-1.jpg
http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx201/LEHIGHMUSKIES/005.jpg
http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx201/LEHIGHMUSKIES/007-2.jpg
Edited by lehighmuskies 7/18/2010 11:29 AM
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Posts: 388
| 1750 Fishhawk SC is what I have and it works extremely well. Lots of storage. Front deck is 7' long and rear deck is layed out really well for the guy fishing in the back. Wish it had a dual rod locker as it gets a bit crowded with two guys fishing multiple rods. A tiller would be killer for fishability.
My Hawk is a 2004 model and they updated the 1750 since then. They still sell my boat layout as the 1700 model but the front deck is shorter than it was previously.
Some of my other favorites include the Lund Angler (no longer manufactured), Alumicraft Navigator (1650 & 1750), the new Lund Predator, and Crestliner 1850 & 1650 Fishhawks. |
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Posts: 485
Location: On my favorite lake! | Alumacraft Dominator or Navigator is what I suggest. Very wide and stable boat. |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | I don't have the ability to get a boat as of yet... but I have to say, I added all of these to a word document that I can go back and reference later on.
Very helpful thread, indeed! |
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | I had an '05 Fish Hawk 1750 with an Optimax 115. Great boat. Tons of room. I agree with everything that one last cast has said, as well as others here about the Fish Hawk 1750.
I had the vinyl flooring package and made a great rear casting deck that fit snuggly into place. The rear deck was pretty narrow ordinarily and the person fishing the back of the boat had to snake around the rear butt seat prior to the deck installation.
I would also add that on windy days you can also throw up a sail and the boat will drift even faster away from your intended fishing spot. That was the only drawback I found with this model. It was all over when it got windy.
One more thing: The boat had only one compartment that could be considered "dry storage." It was my first big boat purchase and I learned from that experience.
Craig
Edited by cjrich 7/19/2010 5:29 AM
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Location: Contrarian Island | I had a Lund Pro V 1775 for a long time and imo if you are looking at aluminum boats imo Lund is the Ranger of aluminum boats...best fit, finish, and resale value imo of any...Alumacraft also makes a nice aluminum.... Lund makes great boats that last and sell fast when it's time to upgrade
Edited by BNelson 7/19/2010 7:59 AM
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Posts: 69
Location: janesville | alumacraft navigator 165 are nice boats. i use my dads all the time its a 2000 165 tiller with a 50 merc four-stroke it gets amazing gas mileage. probably go about 5-10 trips without filling it up depending on where we fish. plenty of room lots of storage. i really like how they redid the new navigators it looks like they have even more storage and sweet lay out. i would rather have the 175 but my dad got the 165. |
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Posts: 272
| I have a Alumacraft TournamentPro 18-footer. Probably pretty easily the most fishable boat I've ever been in, casting or trolling. Both are awesome.
Minus is that the flat aluminum hull design does not make for a dry ride in wind or wind and waves. Which is a constant issue where I fish. But, ya dance with the one that brung ya.
-Eric |
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Posts: 247
Location: Uxbridge Ontario | If you have the cash, bar non, the best Muskie rig out there is the Lund 2010 Predator. One of the largest casting platforms that is nicely elevated, 60" front live well, 50" rear live well, fit with a 225 Opti or ProXS. Or you can get it as a Tiller with a 175hp with hydraulic steer or 115 Tiller without. 90" beam so its still wide enough but very fast. One of the better big water boats that you can easily cast from. My dream boat for sure... Almost bought one earlier in the year.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/videos/05.01.2009/1486/Lund.Predato... |
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