Boat reviews

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I agree choosing the dealer is as important as choosing the boat. Over the pat year I've purchased 2 boats from AZ Marine in Flagstaff which also has a store and service department in Page. AZ Marine delivered both boats from Flagstaff to Page and gave me on-water orientations. All service matters have been handled spectacularly. If I never thought I needed another boat (highly unlikely) I would go see these folks.

These people understand boats AND fishing and thus know what fishermen need an a boat. This is the most customer-oriented dealership I've ever done business with. If you live or plan to store your boat on the Page area these are the folks you need to see. Even if you live elsewhere you should consider using these people. 😁

Ed Gerdemann
 
Joe,
I agree with almost everything posted so far. I spend a month each spring and a month each fall in Page. At 74 I no longer boat camp so it's a long run every day. My Crestliner 1850 Fish Hawk is adequate. 80 lb. Terrova, 200 hp Merc, and trolling motor. I don't tournament fish, if I keep fish they go directly on ice so I replaced the rear live well with an 18 gallon auxiliary fuel tank. The 49 gallon capacity allows me to run uplake with no concerns about fuel. I would definitely prefer a double axle trailer for safety.
Lake Powell has changed a lot since I first started fishing it in 1975. The combination of low water and wake boats have made it so much rougher that I now wish I had a 20+ ft. boat. As someone mentioned earlier every foot of length improves the ride more than you might think.
I really enjoy the Trick Step I added from a fellow in Indiana.
 
I'm probably the least-qualified person to give fishing-anything advice. I've always been a recreational boater first, fisherman second. After Dad passed away and his fishing boat went to my brother, I started a similar search. Some of my findings -

Just about everything found on every basic fishing boat is sourced from the same handful of suppliers. Find the combination that you like at a price you can afford. I'm not talking about specialized heavy-gauge welded-aluminum northern bay or offshore boats - which are awesome - but your basic Tracker, Lund, Ranger, Crestliner, etc, typically have the same doors, latches, carpet/vinyl, engine options, trolling motor options, fish finders, gauges, windshields, radios, live well pumps, and so on (often at differing model levels within a product line, but still from the same manufacturers).

So that leaves hull design and construction, trailer quality, interior layout, overall assembly, and creature comforts.

During COVID, I bought a Tracker (I know) for substantially less than a lesser-equipped/sized Ranger which was made by the same folks in the same factory. It was a better fit for what I do and what I could afford. And buying a Tracker allows me to always be dreaming about the next upgrade. 🤣
 
BartsPlace said:
I'm probably the least-qualified person to give fishing-anything advice. I've always been a recreational boater first, fisherman second. After Dad passed away and his fishing boat went to my brother, I started a similar search. Some of my findings -

Just about everything found on every basic fishing boat is sourced from the same handful of suppliers. Find the combination that you like at a price you can afford. I'm not talking about specialized welded-aluminum northern bay and/or offshore boats - which are awesome - but your basic Tracker, Lund, Ranger, Crestliner, etc, typically have the same doors, latches, carpet/vinyl, engine options, trolling motor options, fish finders, gauges, windshields, radios, live well pumps, and so on (often at differing model levels within a product line, but still from the same manufacturers).

So that leaves hull design and construction, trailer quality, interior layout, overall assembly, and creature comforts.

During COVID, I bought a Tracker (I know) for substantially less than a lesser-equipped/sized Ranger which was made by the same folks in the same factory. It was a better fit for what I do and what I could afford. And buying a Tracker allows me to always be dreaming about the next upgrade. 🤣
Click to expand...
There is a reason Tracker was the #1 selling boat. It is more affordable over Lund, Crestliner, etc. I can afford a lot nicer boat, but Its not the boat or the fish finder or the electric motor that catch's fish. It is experience mainly that catch fish. And I truly believe that. Its many hours on the water in any kind of boat.
 So for you guys looking to spend those big bucks for a boat, stop and think about how much your going to use it, and is it worth those extra big bucks for how much you will be on the water. There are a lot of people that have a lot of money, that it don't matter. But if it does matter, then go with the one that will allow you to use the boat the most, and get your moneys worth out of what ever you buy😊
 
In 2018 I took it to the max (for me) and ordered a tricked out 20' Lund Sport Angler with a 200 HP Mercury Verado and 9.9 HP kicker. The boat has a ton of space for the grandkids to roam around and nobody feels cramped while fishing. Hummingbird electronics, a Minnkota Ulterra iPilot electric motor and a pair of Cannon downriggers round out the high points. It is my third boat and it suits our needs and style of fishing to a tee. Me and Boss Lady really like it. KYKevin is right however, I used to have two nickels I could rub together, but then I bought that boat. I haven't really used it enough to justify the cost yet, other than the grandkids think it is awesome. Now that I'm retired though, I intend to get my money's worth out of it bouncing between Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge. ...beginning next week when I back it down the Bullfrog North ramp.

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Boss Lady and a Boss LP Crappie.

The dealer I bought it from made a promo video with my boat (see link below). The boat in the video is not just a boat kind of like mine; it is my boat. We are not pirates, but we call her the Black Pearl.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f71d...jVGOTM3RTIwQUFGODNBODNDOTgmRk9STT1WSVJF&ntb=1
 
what ever you choose perhaps remember these 2 things:
1. You get what you pay for. No way around it.
2. Bigger is better at lake Powell. I will eventually be trading up and I think my next rig will be fiberglass and at least 20. There are several rigs in that class that deserve consideration.
 
Scheadhunter said:
what ever you choose perhaps remember these 2 things:
1. You get what you pay for. No way around it.
2. Bigger is better at lake Powell. I will eventually be trading up and I think my next rig will be fiberglass and at least 20. There are several rigs in that class that deserve consideration.
Click to expand...
That's right! You do get what you pay for in boats. All the cost analysis, use, justification stuff means nothing if your wiring shorts out 50 miles up lake. For smaller, well accessed waters if your boat springs a leak or shorts out it's an inconvenience. On a huge lake with few and far flung access points it might mean your life.

Ed Gerdemann
 
i used to tow a 25 foot Edgewater off shore center console to the big lake. Boy was that fun. It just ate up anything the big lake could throw at her.
We were running down lake one afternoon and we passed 2 guys in a big ranger bass boat.
They were getting trashed and we just waved as we went on by.
I definitely recommend some V in your hull at Powell. Not the best place for big long runs down lake in the afternoon in your flat bass boat.
 
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TPrice said:
In 2018 I took it to the max (for me) and ordered a tricked out 20' Lund Sport Angler with a 200 HP Mercury Verado and 9.9 HP kicker. The boat has a ton of space for the grandkids to roam around and nobody feels cramped while fishing. Hummingbird electronics, a Minnkota Ulterra iPilot electric motor and a pair of Cannon downriggers round out the high points. It is my third boat and it suits our needs and style of fishing to a tee. Me and Boss Lady really like it. KYKevin is right however, I used to have two nickels I could rub together, but then I bought that boat. I haven't really used it enough to justify the cost yet, other than the grandkids think it is awesome. Now that I'm retired though, I intend to get my money's worth out of it bouncing between Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge. ...beginning next week when I back it down the Bullfrog North ramp.

View attachment 21888
Boss Lady and a Boss LP Crappie.

The dealer I bought it from made a promo video with my boat (see link below). The boat in the video is not just a boat kind of like mine; it is my boat. We are not pirates, but we call her the Black Pearl.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f71d...jVGOTM3RTIwQUFGODNBODNDOTgmRk9STT1WSVJF&ntb=1
Click to expand...
That's a nice boat and Crappie. Being retired makes a huge difference :)
 
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We bought this last year specifically for camping at Lake Powell. 25' off shore hull. It handles any big water Powell can throw at it. 120 gallon fuel tank can take us anywhere we want to go on the lake. Onboard toilet, and plenty of power.
After a nerve wracking experience with our 21-ft stratos a couple of years ago, hauling my family and all our camping gear. We decided we needed a bigger, more powerful boat for Powell, and it only drafts 14". We absolutely love it.
 

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I had a Ranger RT188 18 foot aluminum boat. It was a very nice fishing boat, but not fit for Lake Powell and what it can dish out. I sold it and bought a Ranger VX1788 18 foot all welded aluminum boat, 102 inches wide. I drove to Missouri to pick it up. I was shocked initially by the extra width. It came with a Ranger Trail tandem axle trailer, which I was also somewhat skeptical about. Wow, it towed liked a dream. On my first Ranger, I had an Ulterra trolling motor, Super easy to deploy and stow, especially for an old guy like me. The new one came with a Terrova, which was much more work physically to deploy and stow. This is an important consideration for us as we age. Lake Powell can really get rough, so I added Wave Pro pedestals to the seats. Yes, they're expensive but so are back injuries. Wow, they are incredible. Then, I became interested in battery capacity, especially with use of electronics and the trolling motor. I added a Power Pole Charge. Wow, it's amazing how it keeps the batteries charged and the emergency start, which I have used successfully twice. I almost never have to plug it in on a trip to recharge the batteries. Then I changed out the AGM batteries with LiFePO4 batteries. Wow, they're incredible. Then, I replaced my Terrova with a Garmin Force, which has DI, SI, and Chirp built in. It's silent and powerful and the images are crystal clear. I had a reverse shoulder replacement. Now, operating the Fulton jack to lift the trailer hitch off the ball was tough. So, I replaced it with a much larger Fulton jack. Wow, easy. Then I replaced the winch with a two speed Fulton winch. You would be amazed at how easy that works. Yes, then I replaced all of my electronics with Garmin Echomap Ultras and Panoptics Livescope LVS 34. Yes, fantastic, but you have to invest the time to learn all of the capabilities. Your goal is to enjoy fishing and the experience safely. You don't want to spend all of your time looking for fish with electronics at the expense of your experience. Finally, I added a Garmin satellite device to ensure communication when I'm up lake with little or no communication. That paid off when when one of our party on a house boat dislocated a shoulder. I used the device to contact NPS, and then life flight, which brought a helicopter in because Page does not have Orthopedics capability. My boat and Lake Powell experiences have been a journey. You have to decide what works best for you and what you can afford. The most important criteria is safety, in my opinion. As the Captain of your boat, you are the steward of your party, and safety is paramount. Never take Lake Powell for granted. Storms there can be catastrophic. Beyond the functionality, safety, comfort, and convenience of your boat, I think that we should all make courtesy a priority and especially be respectful of everyone else on the lake to enjoy the boating and fishing experience to the fullest extent possible. Tight Lines, everyone.
 
I am also squarely in the "you get what you pay for" camp. I've bought and sold a number of boats over the years (mostly used), and my experience is that the materials/fit/finish/performance, etc. of a Lund/Crestliner is superior to the "value" brands. But everyone has a budget, and it is more important to get on the water in any boat than to be stuck on shore.

I've also had friends that bought out of state to save $. Sometimes the amount was significant. One friend bought a boat in Nebraska (it was his first) and found that at least a large portion of the savings came from the dealer skimping on the trailer. Single axle, two bunks, no brakes..... So be mindful of that.

Also, if you buy out of state, make sure that you are prepared to either do your own service/warranty work, or be put at the very end of the line. I have a Ranger, and last year, in the off season, I was told that the local dealer wouldn't work on my boat as they were too booked up with customers who bought from them. And I'm not the only one who has had a similar experience. Maybe that isn't a big deal to you, maybe it is.

Good luck with your search. I'm looking forward to seeing what you put on the water.
 
Ryan said:
Also, if you buy out of state, make sure that you are prepared to either do your own service/warranty work, or be put at the very end of the line. I have a Ranger, and last year, in the off season, I was told that the local dealer wouldn't work on my boat as they were too booked up with customers who bought from them. And I'm not the only one who has had a similar experience. Maybe that isn't a big deal to you, maybe it is.
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There's that dealer issue again! You might save a few bucks buying out of state, but it might cost you in the long run when you need service. I recommend buying from a smaller marine only business rather than a big box store business like Bass Pro or Cabela's. You'll be glad you did!

Ed Gerdemann
 
Lund Fisherman 1800 here. I do like the higher freeboard it has. I would say I'm comfortable in it to about 20-25 mph wind, any more than that and I'm looking for a cove or the windward side of the lake. I am done fishing long before it gets that bad though. Lots of great fishing platforms out there. I think it really comes down to your budget and which lay-out best suits your style of fishing. Casting vs trolling and vertical jigging will be much more productive and enjoyable with the right design. The one thing I would say, and I think a lot of people overlook, is the trailer. If your buying new, upgrade to the best one you can get, if buying used, give it a thorough once over and service it as soon as you get it home. I have had way more trailer issues over the years than I have had boat issues.
 
TPrice said:
In 2018 I took it to the max (for me) and ordered a tricked out 20' Lund Sport Angler with a 200 HP Mercury Verado and 9.9 HP kicker. The boat has a ton of space for the grandkids to roam around and nobody feels cramped while fishing. Hummingbird electronics, a Minnkota Ulterra iPilot electric motor and a pair of Cannon downriggers round out the high points. It is my third boat and it suits our needs and style of fishing to a tee. Me and Boss Lady really like it. KYKevin is right however, I used to have two nickels I could rub together, but then I bought that boat. I haven't really used it enough to justify the cost yet, other than the grandkids think it is awesome. Now that I'm retired though, I intend to get my money's worth out of it bouncing between Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge. ...beginning next week when I back it down the Bullfrog North ramp.

View attachment 21888
Boss Lady and a Boss LP Crappie.

The dealer I bought it from made a promo video with my boat (see link below). The boat in the video is not just a boat kind of like mine; it is my boat. We are not pirates, but we call her the Black Pearl.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f71d...jVGOTM3RTIwQUFGODNBODNDOTgmRk9STT1WSVJF&ntb=1
Click to expand...
That's crazy! I watched this exact YT video a few months back and remember thinking WOW, what an awesome platform to fish the Gorge. There was a guy in ID that had a 20 or 21 for sale not long ago, I was looking hard , but couldn't pull the trigger. Any way congrats on the new boat, it looks incredible. Hope to get a close up of it on the lake one day. Good luck next week!
 
I love my "midwest" "great lakes" "walleye" "trolling" "deep V" hull boat. Mine is fiberglass. It's a Ranger Reata.

The great thing with this boat is how it cuts through waves, vs. bouncing off them. This was important to me when I selected this boat over those like the OP mentioned (Lund, Crestliner). Yes, the fiberglass is a heavier boat -- which helps with cutting through waves vs. bouncing off them. My Ranger handles Maytag Straights like a real champ.

Unless you are planning on running at 60mph+, and just skipping across the top of the waves with only your prop in the water, I would look for a boat that will handle the waves you will encounter.

Then add all the other stuff (engines, storage, electronics, seating, live wells, casting platforms, etc., etc., etc...) and make a good choice.


(FWIW -- the ONLY downside I've found with my Ranger is that it is too dang nice! I cringe any time I beach that boat...)

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