Hello all,
When your boatless, you tend to daydream alot 
.
I have been contemplating 3 boats lately (for next spring). Lund Explorer, Fishhawks, and Alumnacraft Tourney Pros. I have yet to decide if I will be going with a 17′ or 18′ boat. I realize this isn’t an apples to apples comparison, but I am looking for general feedback on these 3 models.
Thanks!
You can’t go wrong with either. I’ve fished out of my brother-in-laws 1750 Fishawk with a 100 hp Yahmaha 4 stroke and it fishes nice. I also really like the Alumacraft 1750 Navigator. The Explorers look nice too. IMHO I’d pair a 17′ with a 115 four stroke (Yahmaha, Suz/Johnson, or Merc) or an 18′ with a 140 4 stroke Suz/Johnson or a 150 4S Yahmaha. Then make a very thorough list including fish locators/GPS, trolling motors, on-board chargers, type of trailer, etc. and start comparison shopping.
Again, you can’t go wrong with either. Just make sure you are comparing apples-to-apples when you start shopping.
I can comment on the Lund Explorer 1675. I love it! I have a 90 horse Merc on my Lund and that has done well so far too. I wish I had gotten more interior lighting for fishing at night, and I may have been better off getting a roller trailer. I like my bunk trailer but have run into a few crappy boat ramps that require a roller trailer. Something to think about. The Explorer in plenty wide but not as deep as the Pike, Fisherman, or Pro V. It might not be ideal if your were going to spend a lot of time on Mille Lacs or other very large waters, although I know some guys do just fine. The Explorer is a good boat for the money and I’m sure happy with mine so far.
If you like to fish small water sometimes like me you’ll find the 17′ models generaly draft less water and are super for sneaking around the shallows and they will handle big water. They are usually very good on top speed as well. I really like that ability with my boat since I am a closet large mouth chaser.
Wow, Good post. I have been an Alumacraft owner after a bad Lund back 
in the ’70’s. I know lots of fisherman who like Alumacraft, Lund, and the other. Most of the posts will tell you the others. I was at LaCupolis yesterday and I saw an AlumaCraft 165 Mag. I have a 175 Mag and I asked him, I hope you like your boat as good as like mine”. He said, “yes, a lot better than my other Lund. I asked him, what model did you have and he said I do not remember”. This is what I have heard a lot of times. He said,” I could feel every ripple in the boat and this boat is solid”. I feel the same. Sorry you Lund warriors but that is the way it is. “StaleMackrel”.
I fished out of a Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk for 3 seasons a couple of years back and would not have a probelm going back to one. The only draw back for me on the fish Hawk compared to the tourney series line is the storage.
No one makes what I would call a bad boat now days. My advice to you would be to sit in each one just to get a feeling for the layout of the rig and base your decision on the pro’s and con’s of each. 
I’m in my third year with a 1750 Fishawk. Really like the boat but wish I could have upgraded the motor to a 115 and not a Merc. I bought an ’01 model in the Spring of ’02. The price was fantastic so it would have hurt me financially to have them take the Merc off.
For some strange reason I find myself looking hard at the Alumacraft line. I like the hull design and am not so sure I want another C-liner if I have to hang a Merc off of it.
Don’t get me wrong. I have not had any trouble with the engine. I really would prefer a Yammie or a Honda.
I’m running the 1800 Explorer and like it alot. Its actually bigger than the 1800 Pro V and it rides the same. Lots of room. The Lund IPS makes a huge difference in the ride.
I traded my Lund 1650 Explorer for a Crestliner Fishhawk 1750 this spring and I couldn’t be happier. I have a 115 Johnson 4-stroke on the back. Great motor, not a single problem yet. I’m really impressed with the smooth ride the fishhawk provides, and the stability in rough water. I’ve never felt tossed around in this boat, and have had it out in some fairly rough water. Even my wife, who is 6 months pregnant, enjoys the ride in this rig. Plenty of dry storage (and I do mean dry), good livewell, and very easy to fish 3-4 people out of. I recommend the fishhawk line very highly! 
Quote:
No one makes what I would call a bad boat now days. My advice to you would be to sit in each one just to get a feeling for the layout of the rig and base your decision on the pro’s and con’s of each.
Dustin hit the nail on the head it all comes down to what lay out works for you. I have always owned Lunds but come the day that I am ready for a new one if Brunswick says they are going to charge me more if I do not hang a Merc on the boat I will say see ya and go to an AlumaCraft.
All three boats sounds like a pretty decent choice overall. I have little experience with any of these models, but one piece of advice that I could give out is seak out a reputable dealer to back you up after the sale. This is the number one reason people get turned off from a particular brand of boat. One other little nugget that I have always find plays a substantial role when looking for a boat is finding the biggest size that I can comfortably handle both in the garage and at the ramps and without a doubt on the water. A guy can never have enough room right?
Good luck, and like Dustin mentioned the boat industry is such a strong market, it has helped all the manufacturers raise the bar on their own boats and end result, you will get a quality boat no matter the boat you choose.
A couple of other questions that just came to mind…
Do the Tourney Pros have center rod lockers? If so, what year did they go to those? If not, what is the standard configuration?
Regarding motors, specifically 1999 FICHTS. Stay away from them completely? Those engines had all kinds of problems back in that era. However, I just saw a Princecraft (really nice boat) with a 99 FICHT on it. What are your thoughts?
Judas Priest, I have another question. Anyone run the 2 stroke Suzukis? I’ve heard mixed comments on their 2 strokes.
Check with Suzuki on the two stroke question. I think he is very happy with his motor.
As for center rod lockers, I think 02 was the first year this was a standard option in the Pro series style boats, at least for lunds and crestliners. Not sure on alumacrafts.
I really like my fishawk, but if I have one complaint, it’s the rod storage. Also if you go with a 115HP motor, do yourself a favor right up front and get the kicker. I didn’t and you wouldn’t believe how much of a hassle it is to get one after the fact. Unless you have the cash just laying around, and if you do, can I borrow $2300.00 interest free?? 
Overall, I’m very satisfied with my boat. PM me if you decide this is the boat for you. I’ll give my advice on my dealer.
NubbinBuck,
I’ll throw my two cents in…I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the boat brands/models you mentioned. I have a 2003 1850 Fish Hawk Dual Console with a Suzuki 140 and 9.9, both four strokes. I chose this combination after a few years of looking at Lunds, Alumacrafts, etc… There are a few things that sold me on this boat, I like the welded hull construction, the ride is very good, the floor plan and storage is good, extremely easy to fish from, converts to a recreational/tubing boat easily, and I really like the overall looks of the boat. The Suzuki 140 has been flawless, I just logged 200 hours on the motor. Only normal maintenance items have been required on the motor, plugs, engine and lower unit oil. The motor is super quiet, great on gas, and performs well at the hole shot and top end. Take your time and shop around, good luck with your new purchase. If you need additional info, send me a pm.
Sandbar
2-stroke Suzukis last forever from what I have seen. I have two 1998’s running strong and I have seen some old ones out there including the old Sprints(Suzuki also).
I assume your talking used since they are no longer making the popular sizes in 2-stroke. PM me if you have any more questions on 2-stroke Suzukis.
Alumacraft put center rod lockers in the 2003 Tourny Pros. I run a 2000 FICHT and have not had any problems with it. If the 99 had a problem it would have been corrected by now, unless the motor has not been in use.
Hello,
When I saw this post I had to register and give my two cents. I looked around this year for a new boat and considered both the FishHawk 1850 and Explorer 1800. Since I bought my boat at a boat show, I had the opportunity to walk across the aisle to compare. Both are equally stylish and have lots to offer. In the end, I went with the Explorer. A few things that drew me to the Explorer was the duel aerated, lighted livewells, the new DualTrak channels (I really don’t like the idea of drilling into my boat), snap-in carpets, and of course, the Crystal Pierz upgrades! 
It was a tough decision, because I really liked the FishHawk too. The one option that could have swayed me was the availability of a second console, which is not available on the Explorer (though I really don’t miss it). The all-welded hull design is nice too. Also, the FishHawk has a slightly larger front and back casting decks. I might be wrong, but I think Crestliner changed the layout of the FishHawk as I looked at these a couple years ago and nearly bought one. I thought the layout was better back then. Anyway, you’ve got to consider what type of fishing you’re going to do and go with what pleases you.
Welcome aboard Brunn!!
Know that saying -‘you can’t take it with you’?? Well, I just talked to a guy with a 19′ Pro V w/ a 200 VMAX HPDI on it. Anyone running this or a similar combo with comments?
Personally I have to say Lund boats. They are the boat company that looked at the tournament needs and listened to the fisherman and developed alot of the great features you now see on alot of different boats. We all get to enjoy these features now as Lund has always been the boat to copy. Lund has always been the leader in aluminum boats and does have the best resale. Next I would have to say Alumacraft. They, so to speak, I was told they acquired a top guy from Lund a few years ago and as a result their boats have really improved. This is just my personal opinion in the boat brands and features I like best. Put a Johnson or Evinrude motor on back and you have a great rig with a great resale value.
Thanks, Bill
Guys,
I just got back from Canada, and fished off a new 1700 Explorer with a 115 Suzuki. I have to say, if you are considering this boat, it is SWEET. Lots of storage, and very wide for a 17′ boat. IMHO, I don’t like the wide gunwals (?) of the Pro V’s as they take up too much interior space.
Nubbin, I also just got back from Canada,I run an 1850 FishHawk with a 140 johnson.Still don’t have my trailer though 
Nice boat! Lot’s of Storage too. So far I can’t think of anything I don’t like about it. Got it in early May and have had it out quite a bit. Handles the big waters very well. Winni, Canada . Love how it handles.I’ll have to get you into it next week some night.
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