Decisions decisions, Crestliner or Alumacraft.

I have a 16.5 Crestliner sport angler (2005). I find that if I slow down suddenly I get a mini tsunami over the back of the boat. I have a 90 and 5 hp 4 stroke mercs back there. I also want to start taking the grandkids to Lake Powell and so I need some more room. due to the water coming in over the back the boat I've decided I want a 25 inch transom. I'm looking for a new boat and I have narrowed it down to a crestliner 18 or 185 or similar sized alumacraft. For alumacraft I like all 3 of the following, trophy (higher sides, heavier boat), dominator and the competitor. for Crestliner I like the super hawk or sport fish, again in an 18 foot size. I like my crestliner (except for size) the dealer has been excellent to work with. I do not know anything about the alumacraft. I would love to hear from anyone with experience with these boat companies - and speciific boats. I want seating for 4 adults and up to 4 kids which is why I am stickng with boats near 18 feet. I can't go bigger due to constraints on parking beside the house (gate width). I was very impressed wiith the alumacraft boats I saw on the showroom floor but how is the quality? Obviously the rep loves them but... well yeah, he kinda has to. Love to hear some opinions. I am a fairly inexperienced boater - I get out 5 or 6 times a yr. so I'm looking forward to learning more about boating here. Thanks

Re: Decisions decisions, Crestliner or Alumacraft.

Welcome to iboats!

There are three reasons for the problem with your current boat:
1. Transom height. Nothing you can do about that.
2. Lots of weight on the transom. BTW, if the hull is rated for 90 HP, you are technically overpowered by 5 HP.
3. You are throttling down too quickly. This can be a problem even with a boat with greater transom height, so you will need to pay attention to this with your next boat also.

Re: Decisions decisions, Crestliner or Alumacraft.

Welcome to iboats farsidefan!!

Re: Decisions decisions, Crestliner or Alumacraft.

Nothing wrong with Alumacraft. We have provided our younger son with a 14 foot Lunker and then a 16 foot Dominator with the side console. Both have been good solid boats. I would not hesitate to buy the bigger ones.

Randy

Re: Decisions decisions, Crestliner or Alumacraft.

Thanks for the quick responses! As to the problem it naturally occurred when my brother was sitting in the back of the boat getting ready to fine up the kicker :0 yes, lots of extra weight in the rear. It was pretty stinking funny when he got drenched, almost worrth the scare. The hull is rated to 115 so we are good there although with the kicker we are a bit "down in the butt". My solution with this boat is that when I throttle down I wait till just before the tsunami hits then give it a jolt so wave slides under the boat. I am going for a ride in the alumacraft 18 competitor this week so I can see how the bigger boat handles the water. I just hate seeing the scuppers under water, makes me a bit crazy. I have to laugh at myself too. Years ago I had a buddy who wanted to upgrade to a larger boat. I teased him without mercy and even got him a T shirt reading LIZ (wife), I need a bigger boat - AGAIN. Now here I sit, having owned a 14 foot, then my 16.5, sigh. Uh, dear? I need a bigger boat.

NYBo said:

Welcome to iboats!

There are three reasons for the problem with your current boat:
1. Transom height. Nothing you can do about that.
2. Lots of weight on the transom. BTW, if the hull is rated for 90 HP, you are technically overpowered by 5 HP.
3. You are throttling down too quickly. This can be a problem even with a boat with greater transom height, so you will need to pay attention to this with your next boat also.

Click to expand...

Re: Decisions decisions, Crestliner or Alumacraft.

Curious on what you decided. I am looking now and have narrowed it to crestliner sportfish or the almumacraft trophy. Any help or guidance would be great.

farsidefan1 said:

Thanks for the quick responses! As to the problem it naturally occurred when my brother was sitting in the back of the boat getting ready to fine up the kicker :0 yes, lots of extra weight in the rear. It was pretty stinking funny when he got drenched, almost worrth the scare. The hull is rated to 115 so we are good there although with the kicker we are a bit "down in the butt". My solution with this boat is that when I throttle down I wait till just before the tsunami hits then give it a jolt so wave slides under the boat. I am going for a ride in the alumacraft 18 competitor this week so I can see how the bigger boat handles the water. I just hate seeing the scuppers under water, makes me a bit crazy. I have to laugh at myself too. Years ago I had a buddy who wanted to upgrade to a larger boat. I teased him without mercy and even got him a T shirt reading LIZ (wife), I need a bigger boat - AGAIN. Now here I sit, having owned a 14 foot, then my 16.5, sigh. Uh, dear? I need a bigger boat.

Click to expand...

And the winner? Crestliner 1850 SST sportfisher

And the winner? Crestliner 1850 SST sportfisher

I really like the SST transom. Also I had a constraint in that I drive a Toyota Rav 4 with towing package which is good to 3,500 lbs. The Trophy is a bit heavier and not quite configured as well for exploring lake powell with the grandkids. It was a very tough decision. NO wasy to lose with either boat. I got it with the 175 mercury verado.