Last Post :) Which Boat Would You Buy? Trackers Pt175, Crestliner Cx1754, Lund Pike

[Shawk]

Ok guys... almost there. Here are my final choices... my thoughts are the 06' PT175 but I'm a little torn still....

We're planning a run tomorrow as all of the boats I've been interested in are of course out of town... Leaning toward the 06' PT Tracker....

1) 2006 PT175 Tracker w/2 stroke 50hp Merc, new Blue tracker color standard troller 42lb, 2 standard finders along with all the other typical stuff... haven't seen it but current owned kept outside uncovered for the last couple years... and stored double covered and outside for the Midwest winters. I'm assuming since newer, if I clean it up if it needs it and keep it in my garage from this point forward it should hace a long life. can be had for $5600

2) 2000 and a 2001 Tracker Pro Crappies with standard stuff again... same as above regarding 2 finders and standard 42ish lb troller... I'm not big fan of the smaller rear deck in these compared to the other PT models or smaller livewells... 1 with a 40hp Merc and 1 with a 50hp Merc. Nothing extra or updated. Probably $4200-$4600 ish both appear very clean.

3) 2004 Crestliner CX1754... in pics and according to owner this sounds/looks like the cleanest rig. newer 70lb troller, 1 finder, 60hp FOUR stroke Merc (don't know if this matters to me but may in a few years if I sell it-of course I'm paying more now), always kept in... just looks sharp. $6500 bottom dollar

4) 16' Lund Pike... is a local boat... guy responded to my local Wanted Ad... 89' Pike in decent used shape... 3 yr old Merc 2 stroke 50hp motor... I would refloor it, ad front and rear decks, expand the livewell a bit and just customize it more toward the above rigs. Trailer is fair at best and older 42lb front troller. So I would spend money on flooring, carpets, possibly a couple new chairs, and probably paint the exterior. Trailer needs a pair of tires at a minimum. He's trailered the boat a couple hours a few times last year to his fav lake. Catch here is it can be had for $3k... to me, the motor is worth that... I've always been handy and worked on things, refloored & carpeted a ski boat 15 years ago but I don't know if I want to to that again. It'll probably/realistically cost a grand to get it where I'd want which pushes me back to the 1st boat...

My initial search was for a $3k boat... because I know it won't be used a ton... though it may if I get hooked again. The 1st 3 would be all the boat I'd ever want for a fishing boat. Spending the little extra gets me there. Honest thoughts? I'm ok with the extra cash.... assuming they'll hold value as well now that the initial depreciation should be gone if I sold it in 2-5 years (if not getting used). Mostly Bass, Pike and some Crappie fishing.

Be honest... or none of the above and wait for something different or better... I'm set on an aluminum...

EDIT... ended up with this. http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d65/shawk00/92%20Alumacraft%20Maverick/?albumview=slideshow

Will post in new thread... thanks guys!

[Lund Explorer]

What kind of water are you going to be fishing on?

That Lund is a true V-Hull, and I think the rest of those are Semi-V's. If you get into any kind of rough water, you'll be a lot happier with the Lund.

[Shawk]

What kind of water are you going to be fishing on?

That Lund is a true V-Hull, and I think the rest of those are Semi-V's. If you get into any kind of rough water, you'll be a lot happier with the Lund.

Thanks Lund... mostly small lake fishing and possibly small river fishing. An occassional road trip to larger water possibly down the road but not likely more than 1-2 times a year if even.

[MAD]

Crestliner.

[Hooligan]

In all likelihood, the PT175 is going to be the most bang for your buck. That's a pretty good price, and not a bad ride at all for what you're after. It will lend itself well to all of the IA lakes well, including the MS river. You may want to upgrade the trolling motor over time, but not initially, you'll be fine for the time being.

The Lund isn't worth the hassle, if you've got to do that much work to it and it is still that price, it's not a real good buy IMO. The Crestliner isn't a bad boat, but they just don't make very good bass boat, really. They're a great multi-species boat and adequate on bigger water, but it wouldn't be my first choice for IA fishing. The Tracker is going to have the least draft, and the most fishable layout for what you're likely to see. The advantage, too, is that at 10° deadrise, it will s till handle moderately rough water that you're going to hit on lakes in the area. Go to a deep V and you lose a lot of the fish-ability that you otherwise gain in a bass-style boat.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not insinuating that you can't bass fish in a deep V, but it isn't as conducive on most of the IA lakes, particularly because so many are no wake. It's do-able in a V, but there's no real reason to go that route, you don't gain anything useful for IA lakes, and you're hindered in draft, and technique in many situations. It's easier to fish cranks, for instance, out of a raised deck with lower gunwales. Any technique that you're pointing down at the water is usually easier out of a bass-style boat. There are exceptions, mind you, but not always.

Lastly, have the motors checked out by a mech, if at all possible, before the deal is inked. If yuo're buying from a dealer, you have more recourse. Make certain the electronics work, and are sufficient for your needs. If not, drag the price down. If there's any reason at all to hesitate, listen to your gut, there's always another boat out there to look at. Check the transom and hull for any signs of damage or repair, look over them with a fine toothed comb.

Good luck, hopefully it pans out for you.

[Shawk]

In all likelihood, the PT175 is going to be the most bang for your buck. That's a pretty good price, and not a bad ride at all for what you're after. It will lend itself well to all of the IA lakes well, including the MS river. You may want to upgrade the trolling motor over time, but not initially, you'll be fine for the time being.

The Lund isn't worth the hassle, if you've got to do that much work to it and it is still that price, it's not a real good buy IMO. The Crestliner isn't a bad boat, but they just don't make very good bass boat, really. They're a great multi-species boat and adequate on bigger water, but it wouldn't be my first choice for IA fishing. The Tracker is going to have the least draft, and the most fishable layout for what you're likely to see. The advantage, too, is that at 10° deadrise, it will s till handle moderately rough water that you're going to hit on lakes in the area. Go to a deep V and you lose a lot of the fish-ability that you otherwise gain in a bass-style boat.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not insinuating that you can't bass fish in a deep V, but it isn't as conducive on most of the IA lakes, particularly because so many are no wake. It's do-able in a V, but there's no real reason to go that route, you don't gain anything useful for IA lakes, and you're hindered in draft, and technique in many situations. It's easier to fish cranks, for instance, out of a raised deck with lower gunwales. Any technique that you're pointing down at the water is usually easier out of a bass-style boat. There are exceptions, mind you, but not always.

Lastly, have the motors checked out by a mech, if at all possible, before the deal is inked. If yuo're buying from a dealer, you have more recourse. Make certain the electronics work, and are sufficient for your needs. If not, drag the price down. If there's any reason at all to hesitate, listen to your gut, there's always another boat out there to look at. Check the transom and hull for any signs of damage or repair, look over them with a fine toothed comb.

Good luck, hopefully it pans out for you.

Thanks guys...

Hooligan... excellent advice and I'm trying to keep that in mind (regarding another will come along). I realize I'm in a great position with fall & winter just around the corner. I'd like to find something asap but in reality, it's not a huge deal if I don't hit the water with it much yet this year. My kids are going every direction anyway, so it wouldn't see a lot of use even if I wanted to. Though I'd certainly make some time. We were planning to make a run tomorrow to look/buy.... but I do have some reservations on the 06' and it's a pretty good drive from home... so I'll sleep on it and see how I/we feel in the morning.

All the best!

[3dees]

I would go with the Crestliner, but being a Crestliner owner I may be biased. that boat has a larger 24v tm which you will be happy for, and a larger ob and the 4 stroke will go forever on a tank of gas. lund is a great boat but needs work. imo, the trackers, although a good buy, is not in the same class with Crestliner now or at resale time.