So still looking for a boat. Decided to slow it down and am really taking our time, getting as much info as possible on all options. May buy this fall/winter if the price is right but otherwise could wait until spring and attend the boat shows in Green Bay and/or Milwaukee. Looking at 1750-19 foot models. Looking for a fish and ski type model. I also want a model with the wider gunwales and interior sides that drop straight down because it is safer from falling overboard for the kiddo than having storage hit mid-shin if you walk into it.
Use would be mostly around Oshkosh, WI. There is an 8000 acre lake right in my backyard that goes into a river and the river has restaurants, etc. I would also like flexibility to take on smaller 300-400 acre lakes to the west and north.
Thoughts on Lund? I know they are considered great, but I have read a lot of BBB that they don't honor their hull warranty. Some people with 2020+ model year Impacts are reporting hull creases and Lund giving them a hard time. I would be looking at Crossover XS in 1775 or 1875. I like the layout a lot. Unsure about the thin aluminum they use all around except they double plate the bow. Haven't talked with dealers in depth enough to get into pricing much yet.
Also considering Alumacraft Trophy. I like the height of the backrest on the 1850 (18") for lounging, most are 15" or 12" and are a bit uncomfortable that low. Has nice rails on the bow to hang onto while sitting or at the dock. Fit and finish on the interior are not as good as Lund or G3. One piece double thickness on the whole bottom, not just bow. Side walls are thicker than in the Lund. It is definitely geared more toward fish than recreation. But the pricing is decent. I can get a 1850 for $47500 before any rebates with Merc Pro XS 150.
G3 Angler V750 SF or 1850 SF. Has double thickness bottom like the Alumacraft, though slightly less thick (1850 Trophy is 0.10 x 2, and G3 is 0.08 x 2). Would need a TurboSwing since they don't have an option for ski pole from factory. I have read a bit that these don't control spray well and it is a "wet" ride. Any experience with this brand and spray?
Polar Kraft Kodiak 1850 is a possibility. I don't know much about them. There is a dealer about 50 miles away and this dealer typically carries only higher quality/more expensive boats. I heard they are pretty popular more east vs midwest.
Open to other possibilities as well, even glass if there is a more recreational type boat that also can be used for fishing (or fishing boat that can be used for recreation - I looked at some of these and most reasonable was Skeeter at $60k). Around here the two big names are Lund and Alumacraft. But there are a few G3 dealers, so they are known about. I hope to keep this 20+ years, but if not it would be nice to be able to sell fairly easily by having a recognized name.
I'd prefer a Yamaha SHO but I could deal with the Merc Pro XS. Depending on where I buy it, I can get Yamaha with the Alumacraft. Can only get Merc with Lund (both Brunswick companies). G3 is a Yamaha brand so they only come with Yam.
Budget is $50k but would prefer $45k.
Use would be mostly around Oshkosh, WI. There is an 8000 acre lake right in my backyard that goes into a river and the river has restaurants, etc. I would also like flexibility to take on smaller 300-400 acre lakes to the west and north.
Thoughts on Lund? I know they are considered great, but I have read a lot of BBB that they don't honor their hull warranty. Some people with 2020+ model year Impacts are reporting hull creases and Lund giving them a hard time. I would be looking at Crossover XS in 1775 or 1875. I like the layout a lot. Unsure about the thin aluminum they use all around except they double plate the bow. Haven't talked with dealers in depth enough to get into pricing much yet.
Also considering Alumacraft Trophy. I like the height of the backrest on the 1850 (18") for lounging, most are 15" or 12" and are a bit uncomfortable that low. Has nice rails on the bow to hang onto while sitting or at the dock. Fit and finish on the interior are not as good as Lund or G3. One piece double thickness on the whole bottom, not just bow. Side walls are thicker than in the Lund. It is definitely geared more toward fish than recreation. But the pricing is decent. I can get a 1850 for $47500 before any rebates with Merc Pro XS 150.
G3 Angler V750 SF or 1850 SF. Has double thickness bottom like the Alumacraft, though slightly less thick (1850 Trophy is 0.10 x 2, and G3 is 0.08 x 2). Would need a TurboSwing since they don't have an option for ski pole from factory. I have read a bit that these don't control spray well and it is a "wet" ride. Any experience with this brand and spray?
Polar Kraft Kodiak 1850 is a possibility. I don't know much about them. There is a dealer about 50 miles away and this dealer typically carries only higher quality/more expensive boats. I heard they are pretty popular more east vs midwest.
Open to other possibilities as well, even glass if there is a more recreational type boat that also can be used for fishing (or fishing boat that can be used for recreation - I looked at some of these and most reasonable was Skeeter at $60k). Around here the two big names are Lund and Alumacraft. But there are a few G3 dealers, so they are known about. I hope to keep this 20+ years, but if not it would be nice to be able to sell fairly easily by having a recognized name.
I'd prefer a Yamaha SHO but I could deal with the Merc Pro XS. Depending on where I buy it, I can get Yamaha with the Alumacraft. Can only get Merc with Lund (both Brunswick companies). G3 is a Yamaha brand so they only come with Yam.
Budget is $50k but would prefer $45k.
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