What Would You Look For

I am thinking of purchasing a newer(not new)tin boat,thinking of a 16′-17′ boat single counsel,must seat 4 on main floor with a 50hp-90hp,

If you were in my position what brand would you look at and why ?

I am not looking to buy right now so NO pm’s looking to sell yours to me.

Just looking at options and brands so I know what kind of money I can expect to spend updating mine which is a 1989-90 Lund tin with a 40hp.

Tia Jeff

1750 fish hawk with a 115. If you plan to fish 4 anglers at times I’d rule out anything in the 50 to 75 HP range as you just won’t have the ponies to move that much weight, get a good/reasonable hole shot and top speed. I know you stated you wanted to stick at or under 90 HP but the reason I threw out the suggestion for the 115 is that is a very common motor on that boat and won’t be much more money than the same boat with a 90 and it would be a far more enjoyable rig.

I guided out of a 1750 fish hawk for a season and a number of my fishing buddies ran them as well back in the day. They’re well built and have decent storage and fish well.

For 4 people I would definitely recommend going with the max hp that you can afford. Some good options of what you are looking for would be an Alumacraft Dominator or Competitor side counsel or a Crestliner Raptor or Fish Hawk side counsel paired with a 90 HP outboard, IMO

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

I should have mentioned the only time I will have 4 in the boat will be when the kids are with the FW and I, any other time those seats will be taken out.

Your on the right track. I’d look at 17′-18′ w/ 115 also, wide beam. Kids are only going to get bigger.
You mentioned Single console, I will say they’re seems to be more and more days I really miss my full windshield, something to think about. You can have a conversation behind a full windshield.
Brand? Lunds seem to hold value better but you get more boat for your money with other brands. Dominator, Navigator, Crestliner. Look at CL pictures till you find one that has the layout you like and/or go kick some tires, climb up inside to get a better feel. Yami makes a nice 115.

Since you are fishing the river I would pay attention to what the guides are using and recommending. Job one on the river is safety, especially when those kids are in the boat.

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I should have mentioned the only time I will have 4 in the boat will be when the kids are with the FW and I, any other time those seats will be taken out.

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To be honest I still wouldn’t change my recommendation. Fishing 4 people, two adults + two children, in a 16′ boat is very, very tight. Even more so in a single console in a boat that length as you’d surprised at how much space that console takes up and what it does to the cockpit room by adding the steering wheel.

So we’re back to the 17′ boat to fish 4 comfortably… or at least without feeling like you’re falling all over each other every time someone needs to move around. And I really feel that 17′ boat with a 90 HP motor is going to be pushed to the limits and then some when you load it up with 4 people, gear, gas… and the fish god’s willing, a full livewell.

So James your thinking even 17 w/a 90 would be a tad small ?

That means if I cant pay cash for the possible future boat I should ask my banker for enough to build a bigger garage too , right now my 16 fits nicely.. Swing tongue of course.

Thanks all

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So James your thinking even 17 w/a 90 would be a tad small ?

That means if I cant pay cash for the possible future boat I should ask my banker for enough to build a bigger garage too , right now my 16 fits nicely.. Swing tongue of course.

Thanks all

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I guess it comes down to what you’re willing to tolerate with regards to performance. Will a 90 on a 17′ wheel boat fish 2 anglers? Yes, it will. As long as you keep your equipment load reasonable I think you’ll be OK. Add in 2 kids @ 100# each and fill the livewell and that 17′ boat with a 90 is going to scratch and claw out of the hole. I personally wouldn’t be happy with it. But this boat isn’t for me. Your mileage may vary. The best way to know for sure what meets your expectations would be to get in some of the boats you’re interested in and take them for a hot lap… rigged and weighed down similarly to the way you’ll fish.

Trumar,

I have an Alumacraft Trophy 175 with a 115 merc 4 stk. One of the main reasons I bought the boat was for the “jump seats” it has in the back. They are comfortable for an adult or child and I don’t have to have 4 seats in the back of the boat. They just fold up and down and the bottom part of the seat lifts up to access live well and storage underneath. It really opens up a lot of room and if you do have 4 adults out with you it really gives everyone lots of leg room. Good luck!!

I would really like to find a Lund 1650 SS with a 75/90hp,I dont care about hole shots and high speed,My tackle is minimum and dont need rod storage either.

I really just want seats for my kids to sit on when going down the river instead of sitting on the floor and I haven’t given up totally on another tiller,but they are have to find in my price range and length wanted with four seats on the main floor.

Thanks guys,it looks like I will be running my 16′ tiller another year.

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I would really like to find a Lund 1650 SS with a 75/90hp,I dont care about hole shots and high speed,My tackle is minimum and dont need rod storage either.

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What does BK run? Maybe it is time for him to upgrade and you can slide into his.

FDR

What does BK run? Maybe it is time for him to upgrade and you can slide into his.

FDR

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BK has too much of that stink bait in that boat and wont come out. Jeff you got a nice boat maybe throw some pedstal seat bases in there or isn’t there enough room? I always look so if you want to PM me on more in depth requirements I would be glad to let you know when I see something that you might like.

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What does BK run? Maybe it is time for him to upgrade and you can slide into his.

FDR

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BK has too much of that stink bait in that boat and wont come out. Jeff you got a nice boat maybe throw some pedstal seat bases in there or isn’t there enough room? I always look so if you want to PM me on more in depth requirements I would be glad to let you know when I see something that you might like.

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I dont like his style boat, but will ride in it anytime

It is NOT easy to put seat bases in …. you must remove the floor and install mounting plates to screw into,if you dont they will rip right out upon take off with that big 40hp I have

I ran a 1650 Lund with a 90 evenrude for 10years and it served me well.On a good day it could hit 47 mph. Functioned fin with 2 adults and 2 kids. You could be in a 21 Ft tee and it would seem crowded with 2 kids scrambling around