Does the Alumacrafts run as soft and smooth as CLiners?

[fellowx]

Hey guys, sorry I know this question has been asked numerous times before and I've used the "search" button but still wanted more insight.

I'm in the market for a newer boat. I've owned an 18footer smokercraft before and it was bad with porpoising, any chop would tremendously affect the way it handled and rode. Taking on waves would cause it to pound pretty harsh, it also had some trouble getting on plane and staying on plane. In chop you could feel the waves hitting the boat..

I've rode on three crestliners and the difference is night and day. Rode a 02'1750Fishhawk, 04' 1850FH, and a 00' 182 Tournament. All 3 boats proved to be smooth soft rides. Planing was no problem as it seemed to jump on plane instantanously from a dead stop. From WOT, slowing down would cause the smoker's bow to rise high before it stopped, whereas the Cliners had little rise.

I'd love to get a CLiner but I'd also like to be different from my friends by getting a different boat. I'm looking at the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2004+. The Navigator has the closest platform to a fishhawk and seems to be as wide. I've read about the 2XB Hull and splash rails but what is the real world experience. Is the ride on the newer Alumacrafts equipped with the wider 2XB hull as "soft" and smooth riding as the Crestliners? I don't have any experience with the alumacrafts or Lunds and would like to hear other's comments.

I am basically looking for a roomy aluminum fishing boat, that rides smooth, soft, quiet, and has little bow rise. I have gotten it down to either a 1750 Fishhawk or a 04+ Navigator 175CS. The Navigator 175CS package would be the easier one to find but I want to make sure the 2XB is everything it says it is. Please advise, thanks!

 

[dave11]

Re: Does the Alumacrafts run as soft and smooth as CLiners?

Take one out for a sea trial. Ride (seat of the pants) evaluation is very subjective.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Does the Alumacrafts run as soft and smooth as CLiners?

Let's start with your complaints about the Smokercraft. If it had trouble planing and staying on plane there may have been an underpower issue. That's not a boat problem. Some Smokercrafts had rounded chines which could contribute to some of the issues you had. But also recognize that the Smokercraft is not in the same league as the C'liner, Lund, Alumacraft et-al. All three of those boats are excellent rides. I've owned and fished from all three and own an Alumacraft Navigator 165CS. It is an extrememly dry ride and well handling boat. As for the Crestliner, it has an all welded hull and at one point in time had some pretty serious weld issues. An acquaintence of mine and his son both had C'liners that had to go back to the factory for repairs. My daughters family has a C'liner shown here.

Lund has the highest resale value -- but whether it is actually deserved or not is of course a topic of debate but they are a great boat. I've not experienced or even read about any inherent problems with Alumacraft and have had no issues with mine. My neighbor just came home with a new Navigator 175CS powered with a 115 Yammy 4-stroke and the initial outing went very well.