Alumicraft or Crestliner????

[BULLWARKS]

Ok ready to buy this June, Crestliner first choice except it only comes with Merc. I don't want the Merc set-up. Possibly able to get a Yammy riged boat if dealer asks Crestliner. Considering Alumicraft.<br /><br />Opinions, Experiences, Comments etc. please

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Both good boat builders. As to motors I would go to whoever has the largest dealer network in your area. Does no good if have a motor that needs parts or fixing if you can not get the parts or someone to fix in your area. <br /> I have only had mercs. since 77. My 40 gave me no problems for the first 15 years(till hit underwater object and crank broke.) My present 40 bought in 98 is running strong on my toon and the 50hp bought 2yrs ago. have no problems. I guess it is a matter of choice.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Sorry forgot to add basic information;<br />Crestliner 1850 Sportfish with 150 OB<br />Alumicraft Trophy-180 with 150 OB<br /><br />Found many posts indicating Merc was problematic. Interesting to hear you say no problem.<br /><br />Neither Dealer has multiple dealerships / Service Shops.<br /><br />I live in Bergen County NJ. Expect to do most boating in NJ, NJ, Pen area.

 

[KCook]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Me like rivets. Me like Alumacraft. <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[teamstromer]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Bul,<br />last april i bought the alumacraft navigator 175 cs with a merc 90 2 strk. very pleased with the boat, more specifically i am impressed with the splash rails, they force the water down and off to the sides providing a really smooth and dry ride. i am also pleased with the merc 90. this boat came as a package with trailer and merc and was priced to sell. it all works for me.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

KCook WHY do you like rivets <br /><br />Anyone else? Rivets - No Rivets?<br /><br />Any Crestliner 1850 Sportfish or Trophy-180 owners out there?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

All of my boats, and I've owned a bunch, have been riveted boats and none has ever been a problem. On the other hand, I have friends who have owned welded boats and been without them for a good amount time while unwelded joints were realigned and welded, or welded joints broke (next to the weld). I guess if welding was better, airplanes would be welded and not riveted. Just my experience and opinion.

 

[farginicehole]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

I don't have experience with the newer offerings of either company, but I have a '91 Alumacraft 185CS Competitor. Great boat, no problems, and handles very well in rough water. I'd love to take a ride in one of their newer hulls, as I can only imagine they are even better. My mom has a '91 or '92 Crestliner Eagle walkaround that she uses to fish in the Pacific, and has had no problems with it either. My impression is that it is a very well-built boat. You also see quite a few older Crestliners fishing the Great Lakes, which must say something for them! I doubt you'll go wrong with either choice, as some have already told you. Good luck!

 

[KCook]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Wut Upinsmoke said. When the welder on the line has a bad day he will cause you more grief than the riveter having a bad day. If you want a seriously fancy boat, buy fiberglass.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[Boatist]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Welded is better because it does not leak around all the stressed rivets. I have two aluminum boats one with rivets and it leaks. Other boat a 1980 Crestliner I use in the pacific ocean and it has never leaked one drop. Manufacture of my leaky Klamath riveted boat now welds all there Boats. They are one of the best aluminum boats made now. Crestliner has a life time hull warranty.<br /><br />Coast Guards new 47 foot boat all welded.

 

[cajun555]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

My boat is riveted, 50 years old, can sit in water for 4 days, and no water to drain out.

 

[Straightup]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Owned an Alumacraft, wasn't bad, but my bro in law has a Crestliner. The Crestliner is SWEET. My vote goes to Crestliner.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

My buddy just bought a crestliner 1850 sportfish after 2 years of looking. When genmar owned crestliner you could get it rigged with any motor on the planet. Now that brunwick owns them it's merc only.<br />The quality of paint is not so good anymore. I noticed alot of overspray on his new boat.<br />Also the inside is made of alot of cheap plastic. He has had the boat 3 or 4 weeks and the glove box and both rod lockers rattle already.<br />Take a good hard look at the inside of both boats<br />then ask your self "whats going to hold better in the long run?" <br />Good luck

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Bluewater: Bad news about the Crestliner, but very usefull. I too have been looking about 2 years and am down to Crestliner and Alumicraft (Lund too expensive). Thanks for the post.<br /><br />Boatist: Most of what I have read mirrors your post. Never heard of Klamath! Need to look into it.<br /><br />Straightup: That's what I thought but read But read Bluewater's post. Has your Bro had any negative experiences? What modlel? How long.<br /><br />Gary

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Bluewater: Bad news about the Crestliner, but very usefull. I too have been looking about 2 years and am down to Crestliner and Alumicraft (Lund too expensive). Thanks for the post.<br /><br />Boatist: Most of what I have read mirrors your post. Never heard of Klamath! Need to look into it.<br /><br />Straightup: That's what I thought but read But read Bluewater's post. Has your Bro had any negative experiences? What modlel? How long.<br /><br />Gary

 

[Straightup]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Bro's boat is a 16 foot fish-n-ski. Pretty solid, but is 5-6 years old now, so can't comment on current production. Too bad if they went downhill.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[Boatist]

Re: Alumicraft or Crestliner????

Crestliner has made a lot of changes since 1980 when I got my boat. Some for the better and some worse. The warrany does cover everthing for 3 years and the hull for life.<br /><br />I do not understand how it could have a lot of overspray as all the Sprotfish models have a big reverse chime. I guess if you badly overload the boat.<br /><br />Sorry I was thinking he ment water spray but see he is talking about paint not water.<br /><br />Check their web site and click on quality. I would check everything and ask lots of questions before you buy any boat. I can only say I have been 100 percent happy with my 1980 Crestliner. Only thing I found I did not like was all the screws and bolts were stainless steel but the nuts on the back or under the sides were galvanized steel. 5 years later at a boat show I mentioned it to the factory rep and he took my name and address and sent me 200 Stainless steel Nylon lock nuts free of charge. Paint on my 1980 is perfect on the shady side but on the side that faces the sun a little less shinny and when wax that side will get a lot of blue color on the wax rag.<br /><br />I only wish they still made there 24 foot hull in a runabout closed bow like my boat.<br /><br />Today with all the boat open bow I do not feel they make good Ocean boat. To me a boat for the ocean should have a closed bow. Even if it is self bailing if a wave breaks on the bow I do not want salt water running thru the boat.<br /><br />Klamath boat only sold on the west cost and are open Aluminum boats in the 12 to 21 foot range Nothing fancy just plane fishing boat. My 1967 leaks at the rivets but other than that is in good shape.<br /><br /> http://www.crestliner.com/boat_info/pick_boat_model.asp?BID=31 <br /><br /> http://www.klamathboats.com/