Your opinion on Crestliner 1860 SST

[beckoning]

Please give me your opinions if you have used the Crestliner Phantom 1860 SST on big water. I fish Lake Michigan for salmon and steelies. I want to replace an old, tired 18' Starcraft center console with a Crestliner. I am looking at an 1860 SST (extended transom). All looks OK, but I am concerned about the length. An extended transom 18' seems to be only a 16.5' boat with an extended transom that makes the total length 18'. I don't want a boat that bobs around on 3' waves like a cork. The Phantom model is deep at 25" gunwale inside height. I am interested in any opinions.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Your opinion on Crestliner 1860 SST

I found a couple pictures that I assume are the boat you're talking about, I guess I don't see what you mean by an extended transom? Aside from the fact that the sides drop down in back, it looks like any other 18 ft boat with a big splashwell...that shouldn't have much issues on 3 footers.

A 16.5 foot boat with a splashwell would only be a 15 foot boat?

They look like nice boats based on the pics I found.

 

[pmillar]

Re: Your opinion on Crestliner 1860 SST

If that's the boat for sale in Marne, the hull looks very similar to my 1705 Fish & Ski. IMO, the boat rides very nice for a tinny and provides reasonable stability as well. Does it come with a bow cover?

 

[beckoning]

Re: Your opinion on Crestliner 1860 SST

Thanks for the feedback. I think I've decided to keep looking until I find a 19 or 20 ft Crestliner outfitted for big lake fishing (radio, downriggers, rod holders, kicker). I would need to invest another $2,500-3,000 in this boat for big water, salmon fishing. It doesn't even have a VHF+antenna. $2,500 more is outside my budget. No, it does not have a bow cover.....nice standup fitted bimini and generic full travel cover, but no bow cover. It looks like a major expense to install downriggers on the gunwales.....$200 in tracks and $300 in labor to install the tracks.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Your opinion on Crestliner 1860 SST

21'-22' closed bow is deep V is what you want for any Great Lake that you plan on going offshore for Kings etc.You can still trailer her without having to get a 3/4 ton truck.I would never use a open bow even with a cover, that lake kicks up and you get 8' footers coming over the bow, you will be wishing for a closed bow.You are going to be carrying a lot of extra weight with all the extras you are talking about, do it right the first time instead of buying a undersized boat that you will not be happy with in the long run.Take a good look around at the smaller charter boats that will give you a good idea as to what you want. I sold my 24' Stamas to a charter guy on Ontario and he lives on it during the season,tells me it is the perfect size for clients and fuel efficency. You have no clients so go a little smaller.