Not another BOAT THREAD....opinions please....

I'm really getting the bug to make my 1st big kid boat purchase. I have made up my mind that a deep V aluminum is what I want. I have 14 days off at a time so I would probably be fishing 5(+) days a month. I want to be able to take company that may not be very salty so a comfortable, dry ride and that deeper riding feeling of security a deep V gives you is attractive. I don't want to have to get off the water with wind at 15mph. Prices all seem to be around the same-ish. I am exhausted researching brands, material, construction, etc. I know all those things have come a long way and of the brands I have looked at...they all seem to be kinda cookie cutter in many respects so I'm reaching out to my fellow perch jerkers since I know many of you have had experience with these. I will probably have to order on because I don't want their TM and Electronic packages that I'm just going to sell off before I rig it the way I want. Here's what I got:

Crestliner Fish Hawk 1950
Pros: Like the lower profile of the deep V (if that makes sense), trusted name, all welded construction, thicker gauge than most in the places it counts, wide beam (more than 96" standard), holds re-sale value (can't FIND a used one less than 5 years old hardly before they are snatched up)
Cons: Probably going to be the priciest of the line up, Would rather have a Yamaha 4 banger but since Brunswick now owns them it would have to be a mercury

Tracker Targa V19 40th Anniversary Edition.
Pros: Probably the least expensive, VERY wide beam, Xi5 standard as trolling motor with dual Elite 7ti's so I can have a running start if I don't upgrade. Roomy, looks like it would feel very solid and safe, all welded
Cons: Can't find ANY reviews on them, a little beefier than I'd like (or at least what I think I'd like), cockpit/windshield sits a little towards the front making room at bow smaller it seems, HAVE to have them rigged with their package, don't know much about tracker quality

G3 Angler V19:
Don't know a THING about G3. Glad I could get it with a Yamaha but price seems a little on the higher end for the gauge of metal over all and it is a sub 100" beam. Also....rivets

Alumacraft Trophy Line:
Don't know a THING about Alumacraft. Pricing at website looks to be a little high compared to competitors models of same class

And before everyone screams LUND! I have a hard time paying extra coin for a name that is owned by the same company that owns Crestliner....Ford vs. Chevy from what I understand...plus....rivets Thoughts opinions concerns...I'm all ears

Gator Trak

X2 for gator trax

I have a 2011 G3 172. I love it. It is a very stable platform.

If you are NOT looking for a Hunting Boat, a Gater Trax not what you are looking for. I have owned one when I could still hunt. Nice heavy boats, but set up for hunting and will allow you to fish out of them.

Bass Tracker
I have also owned a Tracker 17.5 Deep V, it was a older model. It was narrower than the current trackers and would get water spray with winds over 10 mph. The newer models have widened, and looks like have fixed that. No other issues with boat. Very safe feeling.

G-3
Had a friend that had one, and very stable and safe feeling. Saw no problems the several times I fished out of it.

Crestliner and Alumacraft
Not sure which Duck Jerky owns, but which ever seem to stable and safe. I see him on the water, and boat rides good in the water. Often see him with his kid fishing.

Recently I bought a new to me boat. I love it. It is a Path Finder Bay Boat. Handles waves very well, center Console, deep riding area and fishing deck big enough for 2 fishing seat with plenty of room. It is fiberglass and rides very wel in rough water.

Personal info that I have experienced about the boats you ask about.

Have you seen the different models they have? They have some strictly designed for fishing. They will also customize it any way you want to make it.

Crestliner seem like nice boats. My cousin has researched them all and he's going with a fish hawk. Good decision to be making any way you go!!!!

I may not have seen everything, not sure. But What I have seen is their bass boat. I have never seen a DeepV if they have one, there bass boat rides high, with the deck sitting very high. Not knocking Gator Trax and like I said before, I had one for several years while I was hunting. Very well made boat. But just not what I got from the guys question.

Good stuff. Thanks!

The thing about Lund’s is that they put soo much floatation in the boat, it just won’t sink...I have seen product testing demos, where they drill huge holes in the boat and take it for a ride...and a sit on the water, just to prove that point. Also, they have more expensive interior finish out than most of the others...I would prefer that they were welded construction, but my last two fishing boats have been riveted, and I never have to use the bilge..in fact I have to test the bilge occasionally just to make sure it still works and blow it out just to make sure the dirt Dobbers haven’t stopped it up....unlike my forays into glass boats, which made me appreciate automatic bilges, they were the most leakprone hulls I have ever owned.

Last year, I too made the decision to go to a larger, safer, more stable platform, that could still get skinny...couldn’t make up my mind what length/options, etc...but I found a used 18 ft Tracker Pro V, with a max HP motor as sort of a get aquainted with this style of boat option...really like it...makes my decision to migrate to a New Lund easier, once I get the kiddos out of college and off the meal ticket. That said, some of the other manufacturers you listed could sway my opinion, including that Crestliner bunch...If memory serves, one of their sales staff is a regular contributor on here...can’t recall his name, but have heard he is a good guy to deal with. If you go that direction.

If you ever get a chance to go to lake fork, drop by the Thermocline Baits shop and check out Tbox’s boat...he has always been very particular about his boats, and his current boat, and the way it is rigged out is worth the trip if you are seriously in the market.

Hey Keith, good to see you posting again...great info you shared!

Check out Xpress boats

I know, I know...I've fished out of a buddy of mine's several times and it is nice and yes...no bilge. I think it's more a hang up on the extra dollars hung on the name although you do make a compelling argument regarding the safety/sinkability. I'm sure I will give them another hard look before this is said and done with...

Xpress

Team G3 here. I have the 1860 CC (actually my 2nd one) and I love it! Very roomy and comfortable. My dad and 3 other guys I fish with bought G3's. We all got them from Blackbeard Marine in Oklahoma. Their prices are tough to beat. They also put the biggest motors on their boats as well. Here in DFW area the dealers put a 70 hp on them. Going to Blackbeard Marine I saved about 5 or 6 grand and got a 90hp on my boat which is the highest motor for my boat.

^^^Spot-on
Big aluminum boats just aren't popular in Texas so there's not a lot of first-hand experience and information on them. I will tell you to not worry about the rivets on a Lund or other top-tier aluminum boat. I own a 1999 Lund Tyee 1950 and it has absolutely zero hull leaks. The previous owner used it mostly on Texoma and I have spent several weeks on Big Tex fishing for stripers. When I pull the drain plug (mandatory zebra mussell law) not even a few drops come out. The interior is still in remarkably good shape because of the materials used and workmanship. I'm not gonna bash the Tracker's welded construction because I've never owned one and don't know anybody who does. You might check WalleyeCentral.com which focuses on the Great Lakes and search Targa; there seems to be some welding and material quality issues with the Targas. But you can also google Lund's flagship model Baron and find people bitching about them. But there are a lot more complaints on the Targa. If I were in the market for a new boat, it would be Lund, Alumacraft, or Crestliner.

You guys are making good and compelling arguments for the Lund. I am sure I will take a hard look again before it's all said and done and thanks for pointing a direction to research the Targa but I gotta feeling I'm not going to like what I find. Thanks!

I have a 2017 Targa V18 WT with a 200 Verado. This is very dry riding boat I have been very happy with the performance of the boat.

Before my purchase I test drove almost all that you listed. Price was not the only thing i considered my budget was very healthy. Since i travel to fish all the time storage was a big consideration. It sucks loading and unloading the boat at the hotel.

Most of the boats are ordered in packages and the dealers are very resistant to change anything. I wanted the largest motor that could be installed on the boat. Next i wanted all the flooring to be vinyl for ease of cleaning. I had the trolling motor and the electronics replaced. I had David at shut up and fish install a ultrex, helix 12, and a 7 on the bow. I am thinking i might be installing a 9 on the bow to get the mega on the bow.
I can lock up to 17 rods in the rod lockers which was a must. The two live wells are handy as well. The boat is over 19ft so it is the same length as the 40th. It also comes with cover which is rain proof and is awesome when you store the boat or are traveling keeps the boat dry. It also comes with a Bimini top. I did have to purchase the pylon for skiing and the spare tire. The small swim deck with the ladder is easy to get in and out of the water.
When I asked the dealers to do the motor and vinyl upgrades it was met with a lot of resistance. We are having crappiefest on the 31st at Lake Fork. You will be able to see all kinds boats and how they are rigged. This might help you decide on what you want and how to rigged it.
Good luck with your purchase deal hard.

I have personally fished out of the aforementioned Crestliner that Todd Box at Thermocline Lures owns a few hundred times. I can testify that Crestliner makes an outstanding boat. In very heavy winds and big waves, the Crestliner bay performs awesomely! You should definitely go by and see his. My next boat will be a Crestliner.

Thank you for the review on the Targa! A buddy of mine's dad up in Montana owns either the '16 or '17 same model and loves it. Also, that's a great idea about stopping by crappiefest. I will likely be at my buddy's ranch outside of Quitman that weekend so that would work out well. How shallow does that thing draft? Can you get back into the really skinny water?

A boat isn’t like a car or at least it shouldn’t be. Why would you narrow down your list to just 3 boats? Did you know Lund and Crestliner are sister companies? Go drive the 1875 impact and tell me if those other boats even compete.

It isn't necessarily...just getting a baseline in an information overloaded world. Thanks for the tip.

Signed,
Don't know what I don't know

Depends of course on how many people are on the boat. Two adults you could get away with 14 inches of water. I carry a push pole just in case. Oh it is awesome when pulling a tube or skiing.

Lund. Damn Fine Boat!!