Opinions On A 1996 Crestliner Pro Am

[BassChump]

I'm buying a 1996 Crestliner Pro Am 17 with a 150 hp Evinrude on the back. I've never owned an aluminum boat before but since I drive an older Ford Ranger, I can't tow something heavy.

I currently have an old Bayliner 16 foot Trophy and while this boat has always brought me home and I've caught a lot of fish out of it, I never felt quite comfortable when the wind kicks up and the whitecaps get more than about 2 foot. I wanted something that was a bit taller but I found this Crestliner and I was impressed. Aluminum welded hull, tons of storage, huge rod lockers, big livewells and it even has a bait tank.

I'd certainly have no problem with big water in this boat and it's roomy and comfortable.

I was just wondering if any of you have owned one of those or the Sportfish which is the same boat and what you thought of them?

Thanks for the info.

[J Francho]

Just be sure to check the baot/trailer/motor gross weight. You might be surprised at weights. Granted, it's a light racing hull, my 21' Bullet with a 2.5L Merc is lighter than my 18' aluminum Xpress. Crestliner makes a great boat. Get the outboard checked out by a mechanic.

[BassChump]

Yeah, I checked the weight on it already. It comes in at 1090 dry. That's about 300 lbs lighter than my little Bayliner.

[J Francho]

That doesn't include the OB.

[BassChump]

Yes, I realize that. My Bayliner comes in at almost 1400 lbs empty with an 85 hp engine. The Crestliner comes in at 1090 lbs empty plus the motor. The Bayliners engine is probably about 60 to 75 lbs less than the 150 Johnson on the Crestliner so side by side, the Crestliner is still going to be about 200 lbs+ lighter than the Bayliner and it's 2 feet longer, it's almost 20 inches wider, it's deeper, has a carrying capacity almost twice the Bayliner, more storage and it's faster.

Anyway, it's not really a fair comparison. I really just wanted to know what people think of a Crestliner being that it's an aluminum boat and if they had any troubles with that kind of boat or engine. The engine is a 1989 Johnson of 150 hp.

[J Francho]

The 150 will be around 400-450 lbs. The trailer is probably around 500 lbs. as well. That gives you a gross vehicle weight of around 2000 lbs.

Crestliners are great boats. I've fished off a few, and they have a great ride.

[BassChump]

That's good to hear. From what I've read they seem like pretty good boats but I like to hear from people that have fished in them or owned them.

I've already committed on it and I'm supposed to pick it up early next week. I can't wait to get it on the water.

I've owned several bass boats in the last few years but I've never felt real comfortable in them when the water starts getting big so I'm glad this can take big water well, or so I've read.

[MichBassMan]

I have a 1996 crestliner fish hawk 1750, thats the slightly shallower little brother of the Pro Am. A freind of mine bought the Pro Am the same time I bought the fish hawk (in 1996). You won't be disapointed, it's an awesome boat. But, I think it's gonna be a handful for your small truck. Pulling may not be a problem, but stopping will. They are very heavy for an aluminum boat. I think they have the thickest hull of all aluminum boats. I built removable front and back casting decks for mine with plywood. Bass boat with them in, walleye and salmon boat with them out. You should run in the high 40s and get about 2 miles a gallon.

[BassChump]

I have a 1996 crestliner fish hawk 1750, thats the slightly shallower little brother of the Pro Am. A freind of mine bought the Pro Am the same time I bought the fish hawk (in 1996). You won't be disapointed, it's an awesome boat. But, I think it's gonna be a handful for your small truck. Pulling may not be a problem, but stopping will. They are very heavy for an aluminum boat. I think they have the thickest hull of all aluminum boats. I built removable front and back casting decks for mine with plywood. Bass boat with them in, walleye and salmon boat with them out. You should run in the high 40s and get about 2 miles a gallon.

Hey, thanks for the information. I really appreciate it.

My Ranger has the big 6 cylinder so it should pull it just fine. Besides, most of the lakes I go to are very close. No more than 20 miles. Also, since my truck has the larger engine, it also has larger brakes. I know this because I just did the brakes on this and they didn't have the larger brakes in stock but I got it done.

I'm glad to hear you like the boat. I'm hoping I get a little more than 2 miles per gallon. Is that at WOT? I'm hoping at cruising speed (3500 to 4000 rpm or so) it would get better mileage but it gets what it gets. I'll have a bow mount trolling motor plus a gas kicker motor on the back so I'll never be stuck someplace and that covers just about any kind of fishing I could hope to do.

I love the room of the thing. It seems huge in comparison to my little Bayliner. I'm going to enjoy all the space and storage.

It has a Shorelander trailer and it looks pretty beefy.

This has a front casting deck and I plan on making a larger rear casting deck if someone fishes with me but mostly, I fish alone.

Some have said that an aluminum boat doesn't handle big water well but my Bayliner didn't like big water at all. I can't tell you how many times I had to head to the ramp because the wind kicked up and I started taking on water. It will be nice not to worry about that anymore.

[J Francho]

It has nothing to do with material, aluminum or fiberglass, and everything to do with hull design. I'll take my little Xpress out in Lake Erie, but not my 21' Bullet.