StarCraft Vs Crestliner

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

This is a tricky question, because there is no way to really answer it unless you have experience with both boats, but here goes ...<br />I have no intention of selling Hydrophobia, my 18 foot StarCraft .. but I do want to release the Crestliner to fish with someone else. However ...<br />I havent had either boat out under high power, and at high speed.<br /><br />That Johnson 125, should it work out to be the powerhouse it looks to be, should push either boat along at a pretty good clip. Question: does an aluminum V, being more blunt and of course lighter, pound a lot harder than the Crestliner? The Crestliner is a classic V, fine entry, but its heavier too, which would cut down on cruising speed and range ... would it be considerable enough to be a problem? I launch out of Cape May and run the canal, want to roam the bay, which I guess is about a 40 mile ride counting going almost to delaware, up to fortesque and back down to the ferry and of course, back into cape may, possibly 50 miles - what sort of gallonage should I figure on? I really dont want to put marina gas in, lol, I like to mix my own, cant beat wal mart as far as Im concerned!<br /><br />Which would be the better bay boat? both are deep boats, with the StarCraft being a bit wider and a bit deeper, a bigger boat BUT its lighter, so I dont know how that effects it during really rough stuff ... that being said, I wouldnt hesistate to take them out front on the ocean ... as long as the motor is humming flawlessly!

 

[Lark40]

Re: StarCraft Vs Crestliner

Well, I own both brands (in aluminum), but mine are both smaller and larger then your 18 footer.<br /><br />What I can say is that the 22' Starcraft has a deep V hull and slices through the Chesapeake Bay with minimal pounding. It suprised me with it's ability to handle small waves. <br /><br />If yours has a similar hull design, then the Starcraft would be my choice for your cruising area.

 

[Boatist]

Re: StarCraft Vs Crestliner

Ray<br />Both boats are very good. I have a 21 foot Crestliner but fish with two friends with a 19 foot Starcraft islander hard top. We meet and fish out of Bodega Bay California (movie the Birds) and travel up to 30 miles up the coast or 26 miles out to sea. Both boats are inboards with kickers and when we travel up the coast together both boat ride very much the same. When drifting out here with the heavy winds the Starcraft drifts faster with the higher cab. Fuel mileage very close to the same. In ocean get about 3.5 MPG. Range useing the rule of 1/3 is about 30 to 35 miles one way. When we go out to Cordell Banks fishing area 26 mile off shore I well usually log about 65 miles since move around some, I will burn 18 to 18.5 gallons of fuel and have a 34 gallon tank. Only go out there when seas around 2 or 3 feet and have a good forcast. I do not launch my 21 foot Crestliner if seas over 8 feet or less than 8 seconds apart. Jim and Ann in the 19 foot Starcraft will go sometimes when we stay in, but they like to troll where I like to drift fish. I have been out in seas 10 foot by 7 seconds and was dry but no fun at all. Great weather today Winds never got over 20 Knots and seas 5.6 every 11 seconds. If you do go out to sea find the weather buoy in your area like the link I put up. Will give you wind speed and direction in knots, how big the swells are and how far apart they are,. Water temp. wave steepness, ect. I do not know if this helps but at least it is a little info. I think boat boats are well built.<br /><br /> http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=46013

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: StarCraft Vs Crestliner

thanks for the input ... both of my boats are outboards, would make for a tough following sea situation - the IO boat is a 25 foot SeaCraft, the SeaFari model, THAT boat I would take out on any sort of day, lol, except I cant row the big bastid too fast<br />I figured the Starcraft would be best for lightness and sheer size ... of course, hitting something at sea, well, I just see that tin can opening up, where as the fiberglass boat shrugs most things off - but all thing considered, I like the Starcraft better, it should do ok on lakes with minimal power and fly with the big motor<br /><br />Of course, the few times I had the Crestliner out in hairy stuff, she stuck her nose into a few waves, and that heavy windshield took green water without breaking, I was impressed - the Starcraft has a flimsy screen, maybe they would swap ...<br /><br />I really need sleep, lol, these all nighters poring over these posts are doing a number on me!<br /><br />thanks!

 

[DJ]

Re: StarCraft Vs Crestliner

It would be nearly impossible to split open that StarCraft hull. Welds can break just a easuily as rivet joints.<br /><br />I've been 30 miles out in Lake Michigan in an Islander in 6-8'waves and felt perfectly comfortable. We even stuffed the bow, more than once.<br /><br />No stress, no strain.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: StarCraft Vs Crestliner

bump!!

 

[miloman]

Re: StarCraft Vs Crestliner

I have had both over the years but I keep returning to the starcraft I feel more comfortable in it in rough water

 

[roujoh]

Re: StarCraft Vs Crestliner

I have a smaller Crestliner 1650 Fishhawk and was invlolved in a side impact collision while trailering. The lady that hit me was going about 30mph at the point of impact. My Eagle trailer was totalled but the Crestliner survived with only one small hole and a palm sized dent. There is something to say for the heavy guage aluminum that Crestliner uses in their hulls. I ride my boat very hard and put it away wet and have had no problems yet. Good luck.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: StarCraft Vs Crestliner

Whoops ...<br /><br />I didnt know crestliner made an aluminum boat, mine is fiberglass.<br /><br />the thing is, they are both 18 feet long and deep ... but the Starcraft is HUGE compared to the Crestliner, sure seems to be anyway.<br /><br />I guess I should have clarified that issue, thought I Did but never can tell these days, lol, crazy timess ...<br /><br /> Ive had rental skiffs bang into me in the Crestliner, my buddy managed to mistake FORWARD for REVERSE and knocked a chunk out of dock, thumped a big board at about 15 MPH, and nothing happened to the hull<br /><br />of course, the motor conked out once and the paddling experience was rather interesting ... that old hull is HEAVY, lol, I can pick up either end of the Starcraft with ease (mind you, there is no floor nor seats, etc) (but STILL!)<br /><br />I am going to be taking some pictures, already have some of the SeaCraft SeaFari 25, but my big girl is rather sad looking ... of course, after a bath and some parts .. but first I want to get IN the water, so Im going to tackle the little boats first<br /><br />can anyone tell me how to post pictures on here?<br /><br />thanks

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: StarCraft Vs Crestliner

here is a picture of the crestliner <br /><br />