Best place to find the perfect boat

  • skhartke
    Somerset, WI
    Posts: 1416
    July 2, 2003 at 7:33 pm #1232194

    Recently, my wife and I decided that our family needs a boat. I am interested in a boat for, almost exclusively, fishing. The two requirements that my wife gave me are that we need to be able to seat all 4 of us, and that she want’s a walk-thru windshield. The question I have is two fold. Since I primarily fish for bass, what is the best brand of boat to look at? Secondly, where is a good place to find the best deal. I would be willing to drive a couple of hours in order to see some boats. I live in Somerset, WI, so anywhere around the Twin Cities would be great.
    Thanks for any help,
    Steve

    buckshot
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 1654
    July 2, 2003 at 9:51 pm #269833

    If you want a boat that seats 4 on plane a bass boat probably isn’t the way you want to go since many of them only have on plane seating for 2 or 3.
    I own a 2002 Ranger 620 and I love the boat, I have sport windshields on it but have ridden in and fished out of 620s with the full shield and it wasn’t a problem.
    Ranger makes a platform you can put over the back area so it creates a casting deck flush with the back storage compartments, I primarily walleye fish so I didn’t get that option but I did look into it and it was about $500. The platform is designed to go in an out easily so you can easily change from 2 big casting decks and seating for 2, to normal seating for 4.
    I recently fished out of a 2025 Lund Pro V and I was not impressed by the ride or the interior layout. The ride might have been driver error so I can’t comment too much on the ride. I was very surprised how high up you sat in the Pro-V, it was choppy and I didn’t feel as safe because I had less side to keep me in the boat if we hit a wave wrong and I have heard that same complaint from a couple other people that have been passengers in a Pro-V.
    As for dealerships, I bought mine from Crystal Marine and I got a great deal on it, I saw a used 620 advertised with similar set up for more than I paid for mine new.
    I have also heard good things about Frankies Marine.
    Good luck with the boat search and don’t make the same mistake I almost did and think a certain boat is out of your price range, I got my Ranger for less than a Lund set up the same would have been.
    John

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    July 2, 2003 at 10:06 pm #269834

    Look at the Sportfish line from Crestliner. http://www.crestliner.com. I bought a Fishawk two summer ago and I love it. I’ve got a wife and a dog and it fits us well. I bought the single console boat because it affords more room than the double console.
    Drop me a pm and I’ll tell you where I bought it. You might want to talk to Tuck also.
    It’s truly a great day when the wife says it’s o.k. to buy a boat.

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    July 4, 2003 at 2:34 am #269940

    Smitty’s Marine in Lake City 651-345-3990
    1705 N Oak St. Lake City, Mn. ”Lund Boats”

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    July 6, 2003 at 9:08 pm #269995

    Steve, if you can hold off until season’s end you will find some great deals on leftover 03s. I love my Crestliner/Yammy combination and am really impressed with Champion also.
    Good luck on a wonderful dilemma!

    cattinaddict
    Catfish country
    Posts: 419
    July 7, 2003 at 2:05 pm #270043

    I am also looking to buy a new boat. Would you guys recommend getting a new one at the end of the season or wait for the boat show. I have heard you can get good deals there as well.
    Thanks,

    Cattin_addict

    bigpike
    Posts: 6259
    July 7, 2003 at 2:52 pm #270047

    My Crestliner is a very nice boat for the money and they have great warrantys also. I would check them out, if you dont have a trade in or a need to sell outright, then wait til fall (after laborday) when the need to push the 03’s out becomes real. You can find great deals then.

    nubbinbuck
    Posts: 922
    July 7, 2003 at 5:18 pm #270059

    Check out the paper in Sept-Oct. A very large chain of Marinas here in Mpls was dealing like crazy then on Crestliners.

    Don Hanson
    Posts: 2073
    July 7, 2003 at 7:55 pm #270070

    If you are looking into Crestliner pm me some details I will help you out and maybe save you some money!

    skhartke
    Somerset, WI
    Posts: 1416
    July 7, 2003 at 8:17 pm #270072

    I just did!

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    July 8, 2003 at 11:56 am #270109

    Steve,
    did you get my messgage about the used Sportfish available in Hudson?

    skhartke
    Somerset, WI
    Posts: 1416
    July 8, 2003 at 2:09 pm #270123

    SteveO, yes I did, but Mondays are nuts at work, and I didn’t have a chance to respond to it yet. I will today!
    Thanks for the help!!!!
    Steve

    Don Hanson
    Posts: 2073
    July 8, 2003 at 2:45 pm #270125

    cattin addict,
    The 04s will be hitting the showroom floors soon. Dealers are looking to move remaining stock. I would look now. Also Many Pro-Staffers will be looking to sell their boats. This is a great way to get a good deal on a fully rigged pro boat.

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    July 8, 2003 at 3:28 pm #270103

    Looks like a nice rig from the sidewalk. I walk my dog by there everyday. Drop me a pm when you get the price from the guy. I’m sort of interested to see what he wants for it.

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    July 8, 2003 at 7:49 pm #270167

    The 2004 models will be coming in pretty soon so you should be able to get a good deal on the 2003 models. Thanks, Bill

    cattinaddict
    Catfish country
    Posts: 419
    July 9, 2003 at 1:55 pm #270208

    Ill be looking at the 03’s as well. Where does one find the pro staffs used boats? Seems like one could get a good deal there with some nice extra’s.

    Thanks,

    Cattin_Addict

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    July 9, 2003 at 6:13 pm #270232

    EFNs FTR/FTL has a ”classified” section on their home page where boats etc. can be listed for sale. I don’t know if any of the EFN Pro Staff have their boats up for sale at this time or not. Smitty’s Marine in Lake City, Mn. has alot of both new and used boats in stock. Thanks, Bill

    http://www.efishingnetwork.com/classifieds/

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