Taking an informal survey, as I am looking to buy an aluminum fishing boat.
Looking at either a 2015/2016 Alumacraft Competitor 165CS or Lund 1650 Rebel XL/XS.
I have viewed both boats already. Both have pros and cons.
Looking for comments/suggestions/opinions. Any input is appreciated.
Thanks
KC
What kind of water do you most typically fish? IMO, hull design should be one of your higher priority criteria and measure it against what kind of water you fish the most. Skinny water, low deadrise or big water that can get rough, steepest deadrise available.
P.S. – Welcome
Don’t forget to account for the quality of each prospective dealer.
FDR
Mostly going to fish small to medium lakes. i.e. lakes in Wisconsin, Minnesota etc. Acreage from 1900 to 132,000.
Fish for walleyes, panfish, bass, northern etc.
PS – Thank you
Either boat is big enough for your lakes. They have been fishing Mille Lacs in boats 16′ and smaller since the beginning of time.
You just need to be smarter then the fish you are chasing if you are on Mille Lacs or any body of water for that matter.
You are correct. Both dealers been more than gracious with their time. They both have expressed the pros and cons.
Thanks for the reply. You couldn’t be more correct. I currently have an Alumacraft V14 that has given me great years of service in different bodies of water. Looking to upgrade for more comfort, convenience, features and most important I am limited on space for storage.
I’ve got a 1650 Rebel XL tiller, and went thru the same process, comparing it to the 165 Classic. I’m not a fan of the 1650 rebel XS version for 2016, that rod locker looks like it will really impact the comfort of guys sitting in the forward seats. Maybe that layout will work on the 1750, but it looks tight on the 1650.
Still some XL’s out there for the buying.
HRG
Skinny water, low deadrise or big water that can get rough, steepest deadrise available.
x2
I had a similar Lund as you have now, upgraded to same size but finished out Alumacraft and ride is worse. Just slaps the hell out of waves compared to the Lund which cut better, which seem pretty common among most users from what ive read online. But I really like the layout of newer Alumacrafts compared to the Lunds.
Spending that kind of $$ seems you need to test drive and compare both. Would you hop in a $20,000 truck without even driving it around the block?
Regardless of what you decide about brand, don’t buy the motor they have hanging on it. Dealers price their boats as economically as possible which means putting too small of a motor on it. Go up one size or you are likely to have full boat load issues with power.
I agree. The rod holders in the 2016 Rebel 1650 XS does get in the way. I am 6’2 and kept hitting the left edge. In addition, the square footage is done for walkable/moveable space. And the 1750 won’t fit do to storage restraints. Looked at the Classic and the price difference was not much difference from the Competitor.
Thanks for the advice
KC
Funny that you mention that. Just finished having that conversation with a friend. He stated ghe same.
Thanks
Surprised nobody has mentioned the almighty resale value of the lund yet.
Not all dealers are the same. Hopefully a good dealer would steer you away from an underpowered boat, and not have boats rigged with the minimum rated motors on the floor. I know several people that have had that very thing happen. Most of the time they were bass pro shop lines of boats. National pricing and packages equals an unhappy customer.
Regardless of what you decide about brand, don’t buy the motor they have hanging on it. Dealers price their boats as economically as possible which means putting too small of a motor on it. Go up one size or you are likely to have full boat load issues with power.
mojogunter, sad but true more times than not. It’s a price point thing and once the dealer has your money, I don’t think they really expect you to come back for another boat.
I agree. Remember the Bud Grant’s Boat Buying Club and Marine Outlets? That is what they were all about. Cheap prices, crap product, and they didn’t provide any service for the boats they sold. All sorts of lawsuits against them. Sadly there are still plenty of dealers doing similar things, but now offer service. You are right once they get your money it is your problem.The dufunct link boat dealers weren’t much better. I did some work for them years ago and they screwed me out of thousands of dollars. It was partly my fault by not heeding to the warning signs that every time I showed up to a location there was a new manager. Luckily not all dealers are like that. If anyone is planning on buying a new boat do some research so you buy from a reputable dealer, and in the end you will be happy.
Not all dealers are the same. Hopefully a good dealer would steer you away from an underpowered boat, and not have boats rigged with the minimum rated motors on the floor. I know several people that have had that very thing happen. Most of the time they were bass pro shop lines of boats. National pricing and packages equals an unhappy customer.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>SuperDave1959 wrote:</div>
Regardless of what you decide about brand, don’t buy the motor they have hanging on it. Dealers price their boats as economically as possible which means putting too small of a motor on it. Go up one size or you are likely to have full boat load issues with power.
Not only do some dealers like to sell underpowered boats but undersized trailers as well.
So lets buy the cheapest deal we can find and have a hard time getting on plane with a full load and then have the trailer brake down on the way to the lake or the way home.
Max out the HP and make sure to have a properly sized trailer! IMHO
Both Alumacraft and Lund make good boats ….. it just so happens I like the Lunds better.
I prefer the competitor layout. Especially the 2016 layout I like a tiller but the cs or sport are all awesome. The layout is what sold me to Alumicraft. I bought a second hand 2002 Alumicraft Lunker 2 16 and half foot with the 2xb hull which is still used today on all of there boats. If you look at the use of space you can’t go wrong with the Alumicraft family.
They’re both great boats. I have been a Lund guy but I’m impressed with Alumacrafts as well. I’ll just echo the comments about HP. I’ll never not max out a boat again after having to have people move to the front of my last boat which was rigged with the min HP rating.
Thanks for all the comments. I am convinced that I need to max out the HP. Neither dealer mentioned upgrading the motor size on either boat. One had a 60 hp the other 70 hp. Both boats displayed in showroom. One 2016 Lund, one 2015 Alumacraft.
Keith, they will try like hell to talk you out of it but stand your ground. That being said, be prepared to get bent over on price to upsize the motor. It will be at least a few thousand if not more.
Dave,
Thanks for the advice. I will stick to my ground. Yes, the price continues to rise on the boat. Time will tell if I continue or hold off a bit longer.
Also get away with the least you can as far as electronics. If you buy the trolling motor or graphs yourself you can save a boat load as well. for instence if you go to alumicrafts website and play with the build your boat. you will find that a $1,800 trolling motor will cost you 2,500 for them to do it. Thats the same with fish finders and rod holders.
Also get away with the least you can as far as electronics. If you buy the trolling motor or graphs yourself you can save a boat load as well. for instence if you go to alumicrafts website and play with the build your boat. you will find that a $1,800 trolling motor will cost you 2,500 for them to do it. Thats the same with fish finders and rod holders.
+1
Not to mention that dealers (most) do an absolutely crappy job at rigging boats. When I bought my boat, not only did I over pay for my accessories but they were installed either shabby or in bad locations. I had to strip most of the stuff and reinstall. You will likely find rigging your boat a lot of fun and it will be the way you like it.
Wouldn’t a competitor and pro guide be a more apples to apples comparison.
I see the competitor is a inch longer, 3 inches wider and roughly 200 pounds heavier. Being that both are maxed out with a 90hp I would guess the rebel to be the faster boat.
I guess I can see why you are looking at the rebel as the 16′ pro guide does not look to be offered with a side console.
Been doing some comparisons myself lately between the pro guides and competitors as Im looking for a tiller. That 17′ pro guide looks very nice especially since you can hang a 90 on back. Only 75 on the competitor.
After doing more research before reading then last couple of comments it appears that doing a package deal only benefits the dealer. It maybe the easier way. However, I can hook up all the electronics etc.
Mike,
You hit the nail on the head. I am looking for a console that is why I chose those two models. Plus, I am limited to how much space I can store the boat. So, the largest I can go is 16’9″ of boat and motor. This obviously does’nt include the trailer. I am trying to get the best boat I can with the limited storage I have.
The most frustrating part is lack of communication via email or phone call from either dealership. Neither one has follwed up to an answer to a question I have. Or just even to check in. Seems poor to me!
If the rebel is 16’6″s thats not going to leave a lot for motor or even a swing tongue up front.
Guess if you got the room ive seen plenty of guys work their boats in the garage at a angle to get a longer boat in.
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