crestliner vs lund

I am interested in opinions on which is better a crestliner or a lund. I currently have a crestliner 1750 fishhawk, but have always been partial to the lund pro v tournament series. So if i am going to get a new boat which should it be a crestliner or a lund.

labsrule

also, any arguments for any other manufacturers are welcome.

labsrule

I sell both Crestliner and Lund. If you want to give me a landline I can tell you the advantages and disadvantages to both. They are both excellent boats but have differences. My number is 507-775-7065

Elkmantom

Everyone knows which boat I run…. and yet I’m not going to give the answer you’d suspect here.

The ONLY answer to this question is “what boat fits the way you fish best?” Sit in both boats. Ride in both boats. Then you decide. For you. Nobody can give you an answer on a generalized “boat vs. boat” question that’s anything more than an opinion based on THEIR preferrences.

If you have specific questions about one of the boat’s lay-outs, integrity, strong points, etc, shoot away. Someone will help you there and that might provide you with some useful info.

I’m not necessarily going to be getting into one real soon, I just wanted to hear the arguments for and against by people that own either of these boats. I am interested to hear what people that fish out of these boats have to say about why there lund is better than a crestliner or the other way around. I will keep your number for (hopefully soon) when I decided to move out of my current boat.

labsrule

James,

That is exactly what i am looking for is people’s personal preferences. I would like to know why you run a crestliner vs a lund. I chose a crestliner because it offers a wider front and back, it comes less expensive than a comparable lund, and they have done a good job of catching up to lund in storage space and general look of their boats. I know it comes down to personal preference, but i’m interested in people’s personal preferences. I owned a lund before this and I didn’t care for the riveted hull we had a leaking problem the whole time we owned it.

labsrule

p.s. I’ll see you on tuesday james, I’m looking forward to learning from an expert.

I didn’t choose my current boat because of the short-comings of another….

Crestliner offered a boat with a higher floor height that served the way I fish most often. You’ll often find me casting or pitching jigs or cranks and a really deep cockpit was out of the question.

The 182 has storage up the wazoo. I need that. I’m a pretty versatile angler and I have a ton of rods, equipment and other gear that species specific guys wouldn’t need to lug around. I actually still haven’t filled my current boat’s storage to capacity.

The c-liner boats ride better at a given length than the other aluminum boats I’ve been in…. and I’ve had the chance to ride and drive most all of them.

The TS boat track in wind and current beautifully. The bow doesn’t whip around excessively and the boat rides fairly level in the water even when I’m on the kicker in the back. That makes boat control much easier. Boats with their noses in the air are a PAIN to control.

Room behind the consoles…. the Tournament Series 182 c-liners don’t crowd out the 3rd or 4th guy in the boat when all the action is at the back of the rig like when we’re trolling cranks, boards or 3-ways. There’s a couple boats out there now that should be marketed as a “two seater” given how far back their consoles are. Why anyone needs 12′ (never actually taped it out) in front of the consoles is beyond me.

What would I like to see changed on my c-liner? Remove, allow omission of, or recess the baitwells. I don’t use them. Would like to see them go up in smoke.

Add a 19′ version to the TS line-up.

Add center rod storage to that 19′ version.

The good news for me is that C-liner will be adding that boat to their line-up this July. 200 HP max. rating.

That will be my next ride. Because that boat will fit the way I fish and meet the requirements I have to be successful on the water.

So how do you fish most often labsrule? and what type of boat lay-out will best meet the way you fish most often?

I pull cranks mostly and i like the room behind the console for that also. I like also that the seats aren’t crowded. We have had 5people jigging in our boat and still been comfortable. That is the maximum, but it was still ok. I wish we had more storage, especially for rods. I just bought a new st.croix and a g loomis and i have to hold my breath anytime someone stands up in the boat. I love the room on the bow. I am the trolling motor guy usually in the front. I love that I have room to swing around and not hit my tackle box or the console. I am for the most part happy with everything in my boat, but I still find myself getting boat envy when a lund pro v goes by sometimes. I am coming to listen to you so I can learn more about 3 ways and other ways to fish other than pulling cranks. I’m good at that and jigging, but I have a lot to learn about every other method.

labsrule

I run a Ranger Cherokee. It is a Crestliner hull with a Ranger interior.

I used to have a Lund Pro Angler, and was going to get another Lund until I saw the Cherokees. You get the benefit of the all welded Crestliner hull plus a roomy, well thought out Ranger interior.

Beav

Crestliner owner here. They are both excellent boats, and I had a very hard time choosing, but here are a few things that helped me make up my mind.

I liked the look of the welded hull.

No rivets to leak.

Other than that (and even that is minimal) the differences are very small. They are both Genmar companies.

I have a Sportfish, and a big part of the equation for me was that the Sportfish converted from Fishing to Play a little better than the Fisherman, or the Tyee. The Bow of the Crestliner was roomier both for fishing a cruising. However, I liked the rod lockers and livewells better in the Lunds. Pricewise the Sportfish and the Fisherman were exactly the same.

Labsrule, I bought a 1700 Crestliner SuperHawk last spring after looking at all the 16 and 17 ft walk through rigs I could fine. I found that Crestliner had the best flat storage and compartments options, for all the gear one carries. Besides storage for rods both compartments and non compartmented, it has under the consel storage. Flat one level storage storage is so important since we all carry so much gear. It also has a place for map storage under the left side windshield. Also important to me is a place to mount a kicker motor on the transom which it has. If provides a smooth dry ride at 30 mph with a 80 hp 4 stroke Yamaha, and trolls wonderfully. I trolled a week in Canada without a cough from that engine. I guess this is also a plug for Yamaha.

I have a 24 volt Minnkota electric on the front, which handles it very well. Lund are great boats also, but the ones I looked at in my price range, did not have as much storage. Good luck in your search———it fun!! Grinder PS They are wide, with great stability.

I’m picking up my 1750 Fishawk S/C this week. Never fished out of a Lund so I can’t compare. I did fish out of Tuck’s boat last fall and was very impressed. His wasn’t a Fishawk and can’t compare apples to apples. Would have loved to buy his boat, but it was more than I really needed. I talked to Dustin a few times and he gave the Fishawk high marks.

I did some pretty extensive research as this was the first boat I ever purchased. Found a dealer who had left over ’01’s and the price was excellent as he was trying to get rid of them before this summer.

I’ll let you know what I think after I get it broke in and fish out of it for awhile.

James make’s a great point. There are very few so called “bad boats” on the market today. You should definitely check out a few different makes and models and list the pro’s and con’s of each. When purchasing my first big rig I looked at all makes and models, after doing so I decided on Crestliner.

I just fell in love with he boat. As far as the measurements go Crestliner has always had the upper hand on the other models in width when comparing apples to apples. The only other thing to consider would be the layout and storage space. Some boat manufacture’s use up space that is vital for use in every day on the water operation and does nothing for me. My 182 has all the storage space a guy could need and I have a lot of stuff, and still have room for more. The storage is arranged just right for the way I like to be set up, off to the side and out of the way. I like having a wide open area with out a lot of clutter. This is why I went with the single console vs. the dual or windshield. Bottom line! Look around, sit in, ask as many questions as you can to help aid you in your decision.

Crestliner has my vote!!!!

Another Crestliner owner here. I’ve owned several Lunds and they were great boats and last year when I went looking to buy a new ride I first looked at and priced Lund Explorers, Anglers and Mr. Pikes. For my money and the way I like to fish the 1750 Fishawk with F115 Yamaha gave me the most bang for my buck. 17’2″ long with a 91″ beam, plenty of storage and room for 3 guys to fish, and it makes a great family boat for when the kids want to ski and tube. The most important thing James told me if he didn’t guide thats the boat he would run. Now if I could just put as many eye’s in my boat as he does I’ve have it made. On a more serious note, try to ride and fish out of as many different boats as you can and decide what is best for the type of fishing you do.

And that 1750 is an incredible boat for the money. I saw the way you have yours rigged out. Very nice with the splash guards! But now C-liner came out with the 1850 Fish Hawk. If I didn’t guide, that’s the boat I’d run…LOL

Here’s a little prediction…. with C-liner releasing a new 192 TS(not sure exactly what they will call it. Probably not even supposed to be talking about it!) the 182 TS will likely be phased out with the overwhelming success of the 1850 Fish Hawk. Those two models over lap so heavily I think the 182 is going out the door.

Time will tell but that move wouldn’t surprise me a bit.

Personally until last year i really didn’t like the crestliner’s. I always like lund better than the crestliner and I always thought that lund was the king on the water, but now I think i see a lot more crestliner’s than I do lund’s. NEwer ones anyways. But like james says it is more of a personal preference. My dad last year purchased the crestliner fishhawk 1750 and it is a nice boat. A really nice boat. It is good for just about anything that you want to do, except it doesn’t go over hidden sandbars to well, oh well we got a sand blasted prop out of the deal anyways. But it has good storage and is a well built boat. And they look rather sharp too.

I can only speak about Lunds here,although those Crestliners are very nice looking boats.I have an older Pro V 1700 tiller and love it.For a boat of its age,there are few that compare stability wise.It simply suits my style of fishing.Plus it is paid for.My dad has a 2000 Lund 1775 SE.Awesome boat,for the person who likes to fish and pull the kids tubes.But for pure fishing,I prefer a tiller.He is selling the boat for this reason too.Some of the things we found silly on the 1775 was the too small battery storage.It is rather difficult to two group 27 deep cycles in that dinky opening,and forget 36 volt trollers as there is not room for three.Also,the middle seats are way to close to the gunnels to sit and fish in comfort.Lund has been trying (unsuccessfully) to come up with a good storage compartment handle.I think the 2002’s look like they may be the ones.This boat has tons of storage though.Also very stable in the rough.Have to love the room in the front and rear fishing areas.We don’t use planers,so our preferences are different than some of the pro’s here.When he sells this boat,it will be replaced with a Lund,most likely another 1775 Pro V,but in a tiller.When I upgrade next year,Crestliner is on the top of my list to check out.In the back of my mind though I think I will be riding in a Lund again.Have to love paying more for the name…LOL.But dang those Crestliners are sweet looking.BTW,I saw a gorgeous Crestliner (bigger than my house!) parked at Everts.It was on a tandem trailer behind an older Suburban.Is it someone from here?If so,I apologize for the drool marks on it,and I promise Steve only let me sit in it for a few hours…:)~

LOL

I think I stuck my hand in your drool! That’s my boat… and my old suburban. As you can see, I have my priorities leaning heavily AWAY from 4 wheeled transportation and towards high speed water toys.

You should see that thing when its clean…LOL

Ya James, that sub is sure sharp when you’ve got it all waxed up!!!

LOL

See ya tonight!

I’ve heard (after I bought the 1750 Fishawk) that the re-sale values for C-Liners were low.

Anybody else hear that?

My experience has been just the opposite.

whew!

you know, it was an Alumacraft owner that told me that.

The C-liners hold up very well when it comes time to re-sell. But then, as with everything, it all depends on the condition and care of the boat being sold. Beat it to heck and give it no lovin’ and you’ll take a good hit when the boat changes hands.

I have been paying attention to what the fishhawk 1750’s are selling for and we bought our ’99 last year. The ’99s for sale this year are going for exactly what we bought ours for last year. We got a pretty good deal on a consignment boat from a guy who unfortunately lost his wife last year and was selling everything and moving. I have noticed and heard that the resale of a crestliner is pretty good. The fact that they are doing such a good job of competing with their new ones will only make resale that much better. Look around, you see alot more crestliners than you used to.

labsrule

I feel real good about the price I paid for mine. I’m going to gauge how much I use it this summer between my travel schedule and my wife’s real estate career. If we find we use it frequently, I think I’ll upgrade in a year. Only drawback was I had to take a 90 horse Merc. I would have preferred the 115 Yamaha, but that’s what came on the boat.

Hey guys do not forget the new alumnicrafts either. I know that walleyeaddict went from a tiller prov to a tiller tournament alumnicraft and absolutly loves it.

Maybey he wil post on this. I have not fished out of it but what I saw I liked. It is one of the better boats I have seen for floor space. If I were looking for a new boat, I would check out one of these. As well as crestliner and lund.

Als specialty in rochester sells them. (Ask for Terry Smith) .

507-282-7862

Awesome rig James.Do me a favor if you would,look downstairs next time your in your boat because I may have left my gas grill down there!Either there or on the sun porch,not sure.Thanks!!

I have been shopping for over 2 months, looked at all brands, I liked the Lund Mr Pike and the 1750 fishhawk. I finally did it, I ordered me up a fishhawk 1750 last night. Now I hope I can get delivery before the opener. Thats what happens when you cant make up your mind. The boats out these days make for some tough decisions. I just dont see how a guy can go wrong with any one of them as long as you get ample opportunity to use it once you got it.

I spent about 3 years trying to make up my mind. Rode in Lunds and Alumacrafts and spent a lot of time standing in boats in showrooms. Until I rode in a Crestliner, I couldn’t make up my mind. That was it. Best ride and the best control in a boat that I’ve ever seen (well, it depends on the driver).

Now I have Hougie’s last year’s Fishhawk 1750 and can’t see a single thing that I’d change, except maybe (as James said earlier) throw out the livewells. No need for them. More storage is the key. Otherwise, I’m happy for a really long time. Can’t wait til opener this year and the chance to get it out on the lakes.

Balance seems to be the key in that boat. No matter who’s fishing where, the whole idea of being able to sit or stand anywhere on a good high platform without feeling like the boat will slide you into the drink is a great feeling. Even in rough conditions, the boat stays upright and just kinda feels like home.

Mike

Im just going to throw my 2 cents in for crestliner since I have owned both the fish hawk and the 182 tournament series.

Mudlnthru, glad you like the former hawk. I liked it too! Then I traded up, to a 182 Dual Console. One word. WOW. What a difference. Other than those annoying baitwells im in love with this boat. Biggest differences are the roominess, the boat control(whoa nellie what a difference), and the ride(whoa nellie what a major difference). Now if I wasnt guiding or tournament fishing Id probably have to really lean towards buying a fish hawk because of the price. If price is not an issue, buy a TS! But I still maintain and challenge anyone to find a better boat for the money than a Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk. Stick a Yamaha 115 4 stroke on it and you have the best boat out their in the 15K area that you will find. By the way, in case you havent heard, you cannot get a Yamaha 115 Four Stroke until September right now. Thats how popular that motor is.