Aluminum Fish N' Ski Reviews

[FishingDisaster]

This has probably been beat to death but does anyone have any long-term experience with and recommendation of a aluminum Deep-V fish and ski boat company?

What I'm looking for is a 17-18' boat that I can still use primarily for fishing a large lake with unlimited horsepower (there's wake). I have guests that don't want to fish so it needs to be able to fit comfortably 4-6 people for swimming and lounging. Also looking for a HP recommendation with it. Aluminum is key as I've been known to bump the occasional rock trying to get my lures back. Solid swim platform so that dogs can get back in. And wrap around windshield.

I have a lot of choices in the area. On the lake are Lund, G3, and Starweld dealers. Nearby are Crestliner, Lowe, Smokercraft and of course Tracker. My experience so far is that Lund is priced highest and also has a high quality. I appreciate the quality but hate the price. I'm also a little rough with my boats but do take care of them. Crestliner and Tracker are the only two that seem to have an actual swim platform. Crestliner also has an apparent good quality and I like the dealership. However, all of the companies listed, with the exception of Tracker, have to have things like trolling motor and fish finder added on. Most of the companies will add $10k before I can get all of the options I'm looking for.

I'm expecting push-back on the Tracker but they come loaded and the price really seems like the best value. Motors don't matter as they're almost all Mercurys so the reliability of the motor doesn't change between brand of boats. And there are Tracker dealerships other then Bass Pro Shops in the area. Am I going to be annoyed by little things like seats ripping if I buy a Tracker? Or am I going to be happy with the boat but pissed at the price of a Crestliner? Pretty much narrowed it down to Crestliner Superhawk 1750 or Tracker Targa V-18 Combo - open to other suggestions.

 

[MTboatguy]

I would take a look at what Starcraft is offering as well, the Starcrafts are well known all over the country for durability and good quality. That is the reason so many of us buy the older ones and do full restores on them,

 

[mtsaz]

I bought my lowe in 2007 from cabelas who dumped them for tracker- when they merged with bass pro. Mine is a 175 fish and ski with a 115 mercury- which is how it came fitted from lowe---it also had a minn-kota 55# powerdrive- and options were a bimini (a dowco 1100$ ripoff) , swim ladder, bow rails (a ripoff), cover (a ripoff), humminbird dont recall its been changed, and an am/fm- which I wouldn't get either- you can get one much cheaper or use phone with bluetooth speaker.

Having said all that- its was in 2007 about 33k- the same price as today which is remarkable to me. Either the boats are much cheaper to build today- or they sell more and can sell them cheaper or who knows. BUT I would highly recommend finding a good used one for about 1/4 the cost of a new one. Most fisherman take exceptional care----and you can find one that is 5-10 yrs old for 8-12K.

Mine is still in like new condition, and runs like a top- the motor is easy to maintain, and the boat is basically maintenance free-- just keep fuel preservative in the tank, and keep it clean and covered. I had an 17' center console boston whaler with a 75hp johnson motor before this- and while it was a big boat- made for going out in the harbor etc (the montauk) and the 75 was the max size motor- it could go very fast because of the low draft and weight--BUT--it (that motor) was a maintenance nightmare--so I am thrilled with the mercury. I am sure a new johnson is much improved over my 1996 one- but who knows.

I would get a used one. I know they go for this because i thought of selling mine and didn't because it was only worth about 8k. I didn't want to come up with 30 more (for a pontoon).
Thanks and good luck.

 

[82rude]

Have you considered premium boats like Kingfisher or Stanley?

 

[FishingDisaster]

Have you considered premium boats like Kingfisher or Stanley?

Looking for a brand that is sold by a dealer at a reasonable distance. I'm outside of Philadelphia, PA.

 

[FishingDisaster]

I would get a used one. I know they go for this because i thought of selling mine and didn't because it was only worth about 8k. I didn't want to come up with 30 more (for a pontoon).
Thanks and good luck.

I've been keeping an eye out for some slightly used without much luck. Which is very surprising. Also very interesting in something new because of finance options and warranties. Lowe is an option around here. How did you feel about stuff like the upholstery?

Definitely don't have the time for a project. Too many motorcycles rotting away already.

 

[FishingDisaster]

I would take a look at what Starcraft is offering as well, the Starcrafts are well known all over the country for durability and good quality. That is the reason so many of us buy the older ones and do full restores on them,

Is Smoker the parent company of StarCraft? And also Starweld? Maybe even G3? The STX is along the lines of what I'm interested in but doesn't look like the rear jumper seats are an option.

 

[MTboatguy]

If I were looking for a brand new boat, the crappy website Starcraft has would turn me off, I was just trying to look at some of their stuff and what a piece of junk that website it.

I thought they had a new fish and ski that had the jump seats, but I can't navigate their website with any of my browsers!

 

[FishingDisaster]

If I were looking for a brand new boat, the crappy website Starcraft has would turn me off, I was just trying to look at some of their stuff and what a piece of junk that website it.

I thought they had a new fish and ski that had the jump seats, but I can't navigate their website with any of my browsers!

Smoker and Starweld have the same websites. These brands have very few options and poor websites. But they are priced nicely and usually have no-haggle sales. I guess they save money on marketing.

 

[roscoe]

Starcraft, SmokerCraft, Sylvan, and Starweld, same company.

Yes their sites stink, ever since they were bought back by the original family.
But they are better than they were a year ago.

I'm waiting for the day a tornado or fire destroys my boat, so I can
buy a new Starcraft Freedom 180.

 

[Doh]

I just replaced a 20 year old Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk. Hard Use every weekend to the cabin and back, fishing, duck hunting (2000+ hours). Son is still beating it across our lake.

It replaced an Alumacraft I only had 4 years (200hrs), due to size and Bow Flexed with every 1/4ing wave hit (Clink/Clunk). It was my second boat, but grew up with Dad's StarCraft, which is where I got my hate Hatred of Rivets. It was a yearly thing, and a Real Hassle to get to the leaky ones.

Crestliner's Plusses over Lund? Welded. I will never have a riveted boat on our lake again if possible. Easier to push, less HP or fuel is needed.

Minuses over Lund? Paint is soft, Floor rotted out at 4 years.

G3 wasn't around 20 years ago, but from what I have seen many have a Center of Gravity (CG) issue causing plowing.

No supporting StarCraft dealers here, but again Rivets. Trackers last 3 years on our lake.


I went with a Hewescraft, but Kingfisher, Crestliner and Prince Craft were all on my list.

 

[FishingDisaster]

So you’re saying go with welded. Crest liner is a good choice.

I’m off put by the floor rotting out and the paint issues. But so far I’ve been leaning toward Crestliner - I just like everything about them out of the water.

And I should just get the idea of a Tracker out of my head?