Mpls Boat Show this week ~

For those of you going, what 1 or 2 specific boats are you looking forward to checking out?

I’ll be looking at the new Lund Pro V Bass, not sure about what else yet ~

Is this a pretty good show to see and compare a lot of different models? Never been to it.

Thanks,

RVRDUX

I’d say this show and the Northwest Sport Show in March are two of the better shows to attend. At least more manufacturers, models, etc to see. Both are at the Mpls Convention Center so have the most space anyway..

FryDog62 wrote:

I’d say this show and the Northwest Sport Show in March are two of the better shows to attend. At least more manufacturers, models, etc to see. Both are at the Mpls Convention Center so have the most space anyway..

Agree!

Like checking out all of the glass fishing boats.

-J.

I’m excited to check out any of the Hewescraft boats, I’d prefer to step into a Hewescraft Pro V 200 ET/HT but I doubt they will have one of those at the show. 99% of our fishing is either trolling or anchored up fishing out of the back, so a boat that is setup for that is what I am interested in.

Lots of others with similar setups: Lund Sport Angler, Crestliner Commander, Starcraft Fishmaster, etc…

Maybe Jon Jordan will find something he has to buy at the show and be forced to sell me his 618

I narrowed my decision to Yar-Craft, Warrior & Skeeter 20′ tillers. However they seem to be a bit to proud of them with prices pushing $50k out the door. They each will get 1 chance to sell me a new boat, then I will suck it up and buy a smaller tiller, it will be a Backtroller. Stay tune, a deal will be made this week.

Dutchboy wrote:

I narrowed my decision to Yar-Craft, Warrior & Skeeter 20′ tillers. However they seem to be a bit to proud of them with prices pushing $50k out the door. They each will get 1 chance to sell me a new boat, then I will suck it up and buy a smaller tiller, it will be a Backtroller. Stay tune, a deal will be made this week.

Not that you want any opinions but I would vote either Backtroller or Yar-craft before the other two… Probably in that order, just my .02

It’s completely a price issue. I want a 20′ tiller, however the quotes I’m getting are insane. As far as quality goes all are the same, all of them are good. It boils down to do I want to spend a extra $20,000 to have a 20′ tiller?
John spent over 2 hours with me in his shop before Christmas talking about boats. If I decide not to do a 20′ tiller Backtroller will get the deal. The other brands won’t get a look.

I already have the electronics and a Ulterra so whoever comes up with a boat. motor, trailer price I can do will get the deal.

It may be a little smaller but I think the Backtroller fishes big and is the most versatile of the 4 you listed from a multi-species perspective. It’s just not going to go 45 mph..

FryDog62 wrote:

It may be a little smaller but I think the Backtroller fishes big and is the most versatile of the 4 you listed from a multi-species perspective. It’s just not going to go 45 mph..

Having never fished out of one I don’t know how big it will fish. The attention to detail and quality hardware is a big thing for me. Speed is the only reason I don’t already have one. My old Tuffy will go nearly as fast as the Backtroller, so I’ll be spending a bunch of money for a couple miles per hour. I don’t know how much sense that makes.

Then I already have the Crestliner with a 200 hp motor, although not a tiller it is nice getting around the lake. The gas consumption difference is something I will like.

Finishing a project in Kansas today and then back home. I should be at the show Thursday when the doors open, then we will see what happens. The great thing is……….I WANT a new boat, I don’t NEED a new boat.

This likely will be my last boat so I need to make it something I will be happy with for years to come.

I hear ya, I want a new boat but I need to pay for 3 kids currently in college right now (nice family planning eh?). I hope to maybe buy a slightly depreciated demo from this year… in a year or two when it is re-sold. So I will be there Thurs aft too asking a lot of questions. I try to avoid the weekend rush, maybe will see you there. Good luck with your decision!

Stop by the Crestliner booth and say hello to my wife. Tell her all about your Crestliner and you may get something for free! Then,, order a new pro tiller185 for half the cost of those other 4!

walleyebuster5 wrote:

Stop by the Crestliner booth and say hello to my wife. Tell her all about your Crestliner and you may get something for free! Then,, order a new pro tiller185 for half the cost of those other 4!

But your Chiropractic bill will all but make up the difference! HA!

No offense to your wife but i’ve owned my last tin boat.

I go to the boat show every year for my annual corn dog and to sit in a couple boats that I can only dream to own.

Heading up there tonight. I don’t look at any 2 specific boat I look at them all. I compare features on walleye or deep V boats such as rod storage, seating, storage, live wells and etc. to one another looking to see who has the most “fisahable” boat. I always look to see what improvements the Backtroller has made as well. See ya at the show

I am between the Crestliner 1850 Tiller and the Lund Tiller 1875. Both have a 90hrs Merc 4stroke. I will be looking at both and making my decision at the show. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. (I am leaning towards the Crestliner simply because I think it will be less money and I have been watching Jason Mitchell fish out of that boat on his shows and I like what I see…) Excited!!! RR

roosterrouster wrote:

I am between the Crestliner 1850 Tiller and the Lund Tiller 1875. Both have a 90hrs Merc 4stroke. I will be looking at both and making my decision at the show. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. (I am leaning towards the Crestliner simply because I think it will be less money and I have been watching Jason Mitchell fish out of that boat on his shows and I like what I see…) Excited!!! RR

Everybody wants different things from a boat. Some guys troll, some jig, some boats are more for family activities. Biggest thing for me is get a boat you can afford and one that makes your time on the water the most enjoyable. I laugh when guys say “x brand is the best and the only one you will be happy with.” Ask yourself this…….would you let some internet guy pick out your future wife?

Bottom line, each brand does different things for different guys for different reasons. What works for me will never work for others.

Only consistent thing in boat shopping………? It’s fun!!!

True dat’ Dutchboy…! RR

RR, you mention buying the one that is least expensive. I don’t recommend buying a boat that you plan on having for years and years based on price. We tend to own our boats longer than we own cars. My first recommendation to new boat buyers is to never buy it with the motor sitting on it in the show room. Dealers try to keep the base price down by putting the smallest power plant that they can get away with. A 18′ – 19′ boat yearns to have a 115 on it.

SuperDave1959 wrote:

RR, you mention buying the one that is least expensive. I don’t recommend buying a boat that you plan on having for years and years based on price. We tend to own our boats longer than we own cars. My first recommendation to new boat buyers is to never buy it with the motor sitting on it in the show room. Dealers try to keep the base price down by putting the smallest power plant that they can get away with. A 18′ – 19′ boat yearns to have a 115 on it.

What I mean when I say “less money” is that if all things are equal between the two boats (and that is what I see so far in my research…) I will go with the less expensive one. Oh and both these boats are rated for only as high as a 90 horse motor…RR

Tiller and the Lund Tiller 1875. Both have a 90hrs Merc 4stroke. I will be looking at both RR.
Everybody wants different things from a boat. Some guys troll, some jig, some boats are more for family activities. Biggest thing for me is get a boat you can afford and one that makes your time on the water the most enjoyable. I laugh when guys say “x brand is the best and the only one you will be happy with.” Ask yourself this…….would you let some internet guy pick out your future wife?

Bottom line, each brand does different things for different guys for different reasons. What works for me will never work for others.

Only consistent thing in boat shopping………? It’s fun!!!
[/quote]

You nailed it!

Dutchboy wrote:

No offense to your wife but i’ve owned my last tin boat.

I was just bustin’ your chops. I get why guys spend the cash on glass boats.. And as others have said, to each their own. Everyone has different uses. For me, The 1850 is my dream boat.

Good luck at the show,, I bet it’s fun!

roosterrouster wrote:

I am between the Crestliner 1850 Tiller and the Lund Tiller 1875. Both have a 90hrs Merc 4stroke. I will be looking at both and making my decision at the show. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. (I am leaning towards the Crestliner simply because I think it will be less money and I have been watching Jason Mitchell fish out of that boat on his shows and I like what I see…) Excited!!! RR

Shoot me a call Rooster. I just sent you a PM,, and if you didn’t get it let me know here. I can tell you just about anything you want to know about the Crestliner 1850 tiller.

Good show this year folks. I was down there last night for the all access VIP night. I couldn’t believe there was a 31′ pontoon with 3 250hp engines on it and a price tag of $191,900 yet there was no bathroom or place to sleep on board. Guess some people have WAY more money to waste than I do.

Not really sure I was overly impressed with the new Yar Craft tillers, did they get bought out by Larson or something? The designs look very similar. Nicest boat I personally climbed in was the Warrior tiller and the boat show price was priced to sell.

Didn’t see my good friends from the Skeeter Boat Center there ????

Enjoy the show, have fun

I stopped last night also and didn’t see any thing incredible but it was nice to see the new lineups. Great place to visit if you are in the market.

Lund Pro V bass had some neat features and even thought I am not a bass guy, I made a point to check that one out.

Was really suprised to not see the SBC group also…

The boat I went in to see today was the Lund Pro V Bass … did the full walk around and it did not disappoint… enjoyed the boat show again, not very crowded this aft.

My plans got all blown to he77 today and I didn’t make it.
However did have a couple interesting developments so maybe it wasn’t a bad thing.

Amazing how the word gets around when you are looking for a boat.