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Posts: 238
Location: Rhinelander | I am in the market for a new or slightly used boat next spring/summer and would like to hear your opinions. Current rig is a '98 Crestliner 1750 Fishhawk w/ a 115 on her. Purchased new and just feel like exploring the market for a new boat.
Fish primarly muskie, casting and do soak suckers. No trolling as I live near Rhinelander WI off the water. We own land on a small lake but it's perfect for a 14 footer. Family is the wife, 7 year old son who tags along a lot casting and our one year old daughter. Early summer will find the whole family panfishing when the bite is hot. Again primarly this will be a casting rig for two or rarely three. I do own a 14' small boat for the real small hot puddles.
Lakes fished are your typical WI waters, shallow, under 800 acre lakes. The larger lakes I fish occansionally are Pelican, Tomahawk and LVD.
Trips to LOTW have been more walleye related and in someone elses boat. Musky trips back are in the future plans, but I can't ever see more than two trips a year. More like once a year for now if not every other year. I like fishing here in WI.
Boats that have caught my eye are; Ranger 618vs, Tuffy Esox Mag and the new Tuffy 190x.
The Tuffy x190 was the front runner but cant see where 4 people would sit panfishing comfortable. The esox mag looks good but seems a little to low to the water with the young daughter coming up. I like the layout of the Ranger 618vs w/the option of removing the casting decks for panfishing. I can see where 4 could bobber fish in this boat removing the casting decks, add the decks and it looks like a great casting boat.
Never been in a 618vs, how does it handle mild/rough water? Rare for me to fish once the water hits the 3' wave mark. My concern with the 618vs is, while it may be longer than my current boat the width is less and I don't want to fish a smaller boat. The Ranger 619 and Tuffy 1890 are/were an option but I'm afraid of launching in some of the smaller lakes I fish around here. The water is low here on some lakes and launching/loading the Crestliner isn't a cake walk at some landings. I mainly power load but with the low water I have had to hand winch at three lakes I fish.
Thanks in advance for the tips and replys.
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 4 people in the X190 is no problem. The boat is a 19' model, and has lots of room. Just take out the rear deck module to seat more anglers. I have one, and would be happy to take you for a ride.
Most folks who have kids and own an Esox Magnum love the ride, because it's so stable at rest. Great panfishing platform, too. |
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Posts: 202
Location: Rhinelander | I know of an Esox Mag for sale in Rhinelander. I think its a 2001, nice boat, very clean, 60 hp tiller. Lots of room, my friend just wants to upgrade. If I were in the market I would buy it. If interested send a pm or reply |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | I own a 618vs and love it. I've had it out in the all the big lakes here in MN and in 3 footers. It handles pretty good. I have a 150 4-stroke and it runs 50+ and trolls down good. The layout is great for muskie fishing. If your not out in the 3-4 footers all day it's a great boat. |
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| i've got four kids and they've been boaters since they were really little .. like car-seat and toddler little. i had a boston whaler dauntless when they were really young and although it was limiting in some fishing scenarios, it worked for us ... then i got a big ranger center console and we enjoyed that even more ... my kids are a little older now with the youngest at age 9 ... we bought a tuffy esox magnum and it's the smartest thing i've ever done for 1. fishability ... (5) fishing out of it for smallies and gills, (3) fishing muskies ... easy! ... great for out water around here ... i live in minocqua.
so ... if the little ones are limited in being in there and you can keep your eyes on them ... for our local water there is no boat that is better than a tuffy esox magnum.
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| My opinion. I am partial to Rangers because once I bought my first, I have not found a reason to switch. I run a 619 (4 kids ) and love it. For a fishing and family boat though I am not a fan of the 618's. I personally feel that 4 people fill up a 618 rather quickly. Having kids I know how much "extra" stuff you need in the boat to cover all bases with the kids. Not as deep and wide as I would like for the family experience. I would be more apt to look at a Tuffy over the 618. As far as lauching, that could be tricky if you go with a 19' fiberglass if you are fishing lakes with VERY shallow launch areas. You will not be able to hand crank these boats on a bunk trailer. You might be surprised though with how shallow you can still power load and be OK. |
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Location: Grinnell, Iowa | I have a 2003 618 and am very happy with it. However, if I knew then what I know now, I would have bought a 681. The 681 is the older version of the 618. It has a better rod locker for musky rods and it has a little more storage. So if a majority of your time is spent musky fishing, I would recommend the 681 over the 618. You will also save your self some money.
Edited by rocket 10/19/2008 11:52 AM
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