Looking for a new boat

[Northern Ice]

Hi all: It is my first time on this form and I need all the advice I can get. I am looking at buying a new boat and have never owned a big boat before. I am not sure what I should get. I am looking at the Lund 1850 tyee or a crest liner 1850. I like the lund but have doubts about the Merc that Iwould have to buy with it (175 Verado). I am leaning toward the crestliner only for the option of a E-tec. I don't know if it matters but I live in northern Canada, cold water and winter starage in the -35 range. It will also be in storage 7-8 months depending on the ice. Thanks for your help.

 

[FISH HUNTER]

Re: Looking for a new boat

Lunds are also available with a Honda from some dealers.
I live in Ontario and have a 2007 1750 Tyee Gransport with a 135 Honda.
Awesome boat, awesome motor, have used them in sub zero weather and performed very well.

Hope this helps you out,

FISH HUNTER

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Looking for a new boat

I also am in the market for a similar rig. The Lund Tyee GS is near their top of the line. They brought back their Fisherman model this 2008 model year, now in 1750 and 1850 lengths. Up through 2006 it was offered as a 1700 and 1800.

And, like you, I am concerned about being tied to Merc, which doesn't offer a normally aspirated 135hp or 150hp 4-stroker. The highest they offer is 115hp. You need to either get their 2-stroke Optimax or supercharged Verado for hp above that.

As mentioned previously, Honda is offered as a Lund option. The trick is to find a dealer that sells and services both Lund and Honda. The dealer I have been working with has Mercury and Yamaha, but not Honda.

Regarding Crestliner, I visited their factory in Little Falls, MN last fall, and it seems to me that they also are tied to Mercury. I think they are also owned by Brunswick, which owns Mercury Marine (and Lund, by the way). Their dealer network in my area is terrible, (just ask anyone) so I didn't give them consideration.

Another boat manufacturer noted for their big water boats is Alumacraft built in St. Peter, MN. I visited their factory as well. They are not tied to any marine engine manufacturers, so you are free to hang whatever any Alumacraft dealer has to offer. Of interest to me is the 1750 or 1850 Trophy with a Suzuki 140hp four-stroke.

Anyway, I was able to find another dealer in my area that does indeed sell Lund boats with Hondas. They quoted me "within another US$1k from an Opti" for a Lund Fisherman 1850 with 135hp Honda, and since Honda is now offering rebates of $350 on their 135hp and 150hp models through 03/31/2008, I'm very tempted indeed.

I'll check them all out at the upcoming boat show in Minneapolis this week.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Looking for a new boat

I'll check them all out at the upcoming boat show in Minneapolis this week.

Just read that the futures market for tomorrow's (01/22/08) open is down 520 points. If the market continues to slide like it has been, wife and I may end up going to this year's boat show as lookers instead of buyers.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Looking for a new boat

You don't have to buy a Lund with a merc or a Honda. You can get them with no prerig. If you dealer doesn't want to order one of those, then you shouldn't buy from him. Get a Lund without prerig from a Lund dealer, then go get the Etec from an Etec dealer. Good combo in my opinion.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Looking for a new boat

You don't have to buy a Lund with a merc or a Honda. You can get them with no prerig. If you dealer doesn't want to order one of those, then you shouldn't buy from him. Get a Lund without prerig from a Lund dealer, then go get the Etec from an Etec dealer. Good combo in my opinion.

Yes, thanks; I actually inquired about doing that very thing. They would do it, but I would miss out on any package savings. Regarding E-tec, it's a fine motor, and I saw the promotional material on it, but deep down inside I really wanted a 4-stroke.

We ended up ordering a Lund Fisherman 1750 with a Merc 115 4-stroke. Hull is rated at 135 hp. For what we will use it for, the 115hp should be fine. This newly introduced Fisherman model (available for many years through 2006, not available in 2007, now back again) doesn't come with bow rails like the previous generation did, so the dealer will add them for us.

Came within a gnat's whisker of buying an Alumacraft 1750 Trophy with a Suzuki 140, but the trailer wasn't even close to what we wanted, and local dealer didn't have any others to pick from. Wife liked the colors available on the Lund (picked Cobalt Blue over Sandstone hull with Sandstone carpet and seats), and I liked the resale potential of the Lund. That Trophy is a heck of a boat, though, and there's a factory rebate program currently in place (declining amount through March, 2008).

 

[boatbuilder]

Re: Looking for a new boat

Yes, Brunswick owns Merc, Lund, Crestliner, Lowe, Triton and about 30 other boat companies also. Motorguide is one also. As far as Merc is concerned, I believe 75 hp thru 150 hp 4 strokes are Yamaha powerheads under contract thru 2009 I think. You can google all of this. Visit Brunswick.com to see all other companies. Lowe, Lund,and Crestliner boats are pretty much the same platform, as I work at Lowe's, and we build some of their models here when the get behind. By the way, GOOD CHOICE