Boat differences
- Thread starter mtnpull
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I have a 2150 sportfish with a 300 and you will want a kicker for sure. Just my .02 as well, the back design of the SST I thought would make it extremely challenging for fishing out so we opted for a deck up there where we can put seats on the corners and it is the cats meow to fish out of! Love it!
JeffinFlag
Active Member
Wouldn't own a boat without one...have a 9.9 Mercury 4 stroke kicker that enhances my fishing immensely. Piece of mind too. Allows me to hold position now matter how nasty the weather. Will push my rig up to 5.0 mph.
Have remote throttle and remote push button steering nice option for so many reasons. My kicker is in a manufacturer designed pocket...in the transom- Crestliner no longer makes them that way unfortunately.
Have remote throttle and remote push button steering nice option for so many reasons. My kicker is in a manufacturer designed pocket...in the transom- Crestliner no longer makes them that way unfortunately.
JeffinFlag
Active Member
I have the I/O (Volvo Penta with chevy Vortec 4.3 v6 225 hp) in my 18'2" deep V Crestliner SportFish which I am sooo happy with...and the kicker adds versatility. yes I have power and torque for days in this boat.
Most buy the outboards as the main engine but now that I have lived with my current rig...with my desire for versatility...the ability to do water sports all day when the kids are with me-have pulled up too 3 tubes with 4 riders behind the boat at 7000' yes, I live in the mountains , fuel efficiency, reliability and low cost of ownership (I purchased my boat used for 9500.00 with only 90 hours on the 4.3) and the ability to launch and fish my smaller local lakes when not at Powell, for me, it is the sweet spot.
I'd stay away if you want to put more than 4 people in this boat on a regular basis. It is perfect for fishing for two and sking or boarding a few more....if you need room for 8 or more I'd go deck boat or tritoon...look forward to hearing what you come up with...now off to the big lake. Ain't life grand!
Most buy the outboards as the main engine but now that I have lived with my current rig...with my desire for versatility...the ability to do water sports all day when the kids are with me-have pulled up too 3 tubes with 4 riders behind the boat at 7000' yes, I live in the mountains , fuel efficiency, reliability and low cost of ownership (I purchased my boat used for 9500.00 with only 90 hours on the 4.3) and the ability to launch and fish my smaller local lakes when not at Powell, for me, it is the sweet spot.
I'd stay away if you want to put more than 4 people in this boat on a regular basis. It is perfect for fishing for two and sking or boarding a few more....if you need room for 8 or more I'd go deck boat or tritoon...look forward to hearing what you come up with...now off to the big lake. Ain't life grand!
capt-capsaicin
Active Member
I researched and researched and settled on a 1850 Crestliner Sportfish. It was my dream boat. Searched for a year looking for just that boat. Finally found one this spring. I have been more than happy with it. It's the I/O version with the 190hp Mercruiser. I have a kicker motor with a remote control too so that is a huge help when trolling for stripers. I wanted the I/O because of the economy and having the weight of the engine forward makes for a better ride in my opinion.
After having spent a year with it I will say this. Look toward the fishing specific Crestliners. The Sportfish model does not have half the storage that the fishing models have. This doesn't mean that the fishing model isn't a good family boat. Actually I think it might be a better family boat because it allows for storage of food, towels, and other non-fishing related gear. Of course they have made strides in the new models of the Sportfish but the older ones are lacking in the storage area.
After having spent a year with it I will say this. Look toward the fishing specific Crestliners. The Sportfish model does not have half the storage that the fishing models have. This doesn't mean that the fishing model isn't a good family boat. Actually I think it might be a better family boat because it allows for storage of food, towels, and other non-fishing related gear. Of course they have made strides in the new models of the Sportfish but the older ones are lacking in the storage area.
bobco
Well-Known Member
wow I looked at crestliners site at those boats, rated for 350 hp!, that thing is a tank. I would suggest you take a look at the reata 2050 as well,very nice family boat. https://www.rangerboats.com/models.cfm?mid=7405&gid=32#|standard_features
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Ryan
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
I have always been a fan of the Ranger Reata. They are nice boats. Saw a Crestliner up in GHB this weekend. Looked to be about 21' and a 250 HP motor. That was a nice rig.
But as I am on a budget, and I only fish Powell a couple times a year, my little 16' Lund will continue to suffice. More HP sure would be nice though....
But as I am on a budget, and I only fish Powell a couple times a year, my little 16' Lund will continue to suffice. More HP sure would be nice though....
mtnpull
Well-Known Member
This is the exact delima I am facing on this boat. I really value that rear deck and fishing space and I think it would be difficult to fish off the back of the SST. But my boys who would mostly be the ones fishing back there seem to think it would be okay and they prefer the SST. It's a tough call!
Lot's of good info in here guys! Thanks for the responses.
For those of you who have the SST, do you wish you had a better platform on the back to fish from?
The boat is wide enough you can troll 2 out the back 2 off the sides and 2 more off the sides with planer boards...you get into a hot bite its like you're a deckhand on deepsea charter running around on that huge deck trying to get fish in! It's a TON of fun. The SST is sweet but its a just a little more sport than fish for me. Good luck with your decision!
PBH
Well-Known Member
the Ranger Reata boats have a really nice rear deck. The front deck is awesome!
lot's of storage too.
you're running into the same concerns I had when looking at Crestliner. Again, that's when my dealer said "I can outfit the Crestliner like you want, and you'll pay the same amount as this Ranger right over here...."
lot's of storage too.
you're running into the same concerns I had when looking at Crestliner. Again, that's when my dealer said "I can outfit the Crestliner like you want, and you'll pay the same amount as this Ranger right over here...."
Shopping for new boats is fun/stressful. When I decided it was time for more of a fishing style boat last year I also had Crestliner and Lund at the top of my list. Went to Robertsons Marina in Salt Lake who carries both Crestliner and Ranger. The Owner Rick treated us great and shared his views about both brands. He really convinced us the Ranger was the way to go for many reasons. The fiberglass just gives you a smoother ride hands down and we have had fiberglass boats for the last three boats and yes you have to be more selective were you beach them but I have managed to not ever scratch one up to bad over the last 25+ years boating at Powell. I have always put keel protectors on all my boats. The fact is a loaded up Crestliner or Lund can be as much or more then a Ranger. When we decided we were going fiberglass we went over to the Lund dealer to look at the Lund GL sieres in Salt Lake. They shot us a good deal on a Lund they had on the floor but we felt the quality (fit and finish) was not as good as the Ranger. We decided to go with a Ranger 1880 Angler with a 175 Mercury Verado. Keep in mind if your a fishermen the Angler, while the same boat as a Reata has some options that make it a better fishing choice like an elevated front rod locker so you dont have to get down on the floor to get rods out.
We opted to special order this boat thru Cabelas so we could get color and options like we wanted. Was also able to put on Cabelas card and accumulate about 3K in cabelas points. Had some issues working with Cabelas sales manager but she just had way to much going on trying to also run service dept. We did load this boat up with nice barrel seats which are way more comfortable then the standard ones nice electronics and yes a 9.9 kicker. The kicker is nice but very expensive I think over 6K. It is nice but you could probably just troll with your main engine and do just fine for stripers. This boat ended up being in the mid 50K area. Could of been less with out the Verado but it is a pretty sweet engine and as far as out boards go very quiet. All an all we like this boat but with just the wife and I and are two Brittnys it's a little tight from what were use to. A Pontoon would be nice but there is a give and take with those also. One thing for sure Ranger hold there value better then most brands.
That's my 2 cents worth. Good luck. There are alot of good choices out there.
We opted to special order this boat thru Cabelas so we could get color and options like we wanted. Was also able to put on Cabelas card and accumulate about 3K in cabelas points. Had some issues working with Cabelas sales manager but she just had way to much going on trying to also run service dept. We did load this boat up with nice barrel seats which are way more comfortable then the standard ones nice electronics and yes a 9.9 kicker. The kicker is nice but very expensive I think over 6K. It is nice but you could probably just troll with your main engine and do just fine for stripers. This boat ended up being in the mid 50K area. Could of been less with out the Verado but it is a pretty sweet engine and as far as out boards go very quiet. All an all we like this boat but with just the wife and I and are two Brittnys it's a little tight from what were use to. A Pontoon would be nice but there is a give and take with those also. One thing for sure Ranger hold there value better then most brands.
That's my 2 cents worth. Good luck. There are alot of good choices out there.
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