Ordered my first new boat yesterday. My first two I purchased used, a Champion and a Skeeter. I had a TZX 190 dual console. It is loaded out but could be a little cramped with two people and gear, especially with the dual console. Both my boys love fishing and it was hard fishing with both of them at the same time. Been researching for a while and decided I was going to go the Aluminum route. Yes, I know, lots of people look down on them and I was guilty of that as well. But, been fishing tournaments with my partner who runs aluminum and we have done very well out of it and our last tournament conditions were less than ideal with heavy winds and it did great. My first choice was an Xpress. Man those are sharp boats but the one I wanted was gonna run me over 50k and that was before add ons. Plus if I ordered one now it would be be December at the earliest I could get one with the Yamaha issues. My research brought to Crestliner. That's what I ended up going with. 18'10" boat which is 4 inches longer than my skeeter and single console. Tons more space. Both decks are bigger and the leg room is outstanding. I'm 6'2" and was slightly cramped in my skeeter and I can stretch my legs all the way out with this. So, for less than an Xpress I got a fully loaded out Crestliner XF 189.


150 Mercury 4 Stroke
Dual Talons
Livewell with bait bucket.
Seadeck
Hotfoot
Paddle Trim
Rod organizers
Helix 9 flush mount on dash
Helix 9 ram mount at dash
Helix 12 on bow
Humminbird 360
Recessed foot tray
Ultrex
LED lights on gunnels
LED in all compartments
LED light strips on trailer trailer

Purchased it from HW Marine in Marshall and they were great to work with. I'm impressed with how far tin cans have come. Very excited for my first brand new boat. Should be here June or early July.

Congrats, hope you enjoy it.

Congratulations! Youre gonna love the seadek and wont ever go back to carpet!

I own a tracker and know where they stand on the totem from my research....but all that research also had crestliner high up on that totem. its my understanding they have a real good resale (even pre-covid) and lots of good reviews out there that I read. Xpress are gonna be pricey because of all the marketing dollars they are spending, I think the crestliner was the good move. A 19 foot tracker....or crestliner was my next boat Im planning for. i think youll be happy. I love aluminum boats...for the way I fish I couldnt own fiberglass and sleep well at night. I fish my tracker like Iaconelli fishes his glass boat....if we need to end up in a tree to get on em, we're gonna end up in a tree

Sounds great Coach. All I need is a couple days heads up for my test drive!

Congrats Coach!

Any particular reason to go with Talons over Raptors?

I looked it up, nice roomy boat 👍🎣

The pump housing is too big to fit in the back compartment or that's the direction I would have gone.

Congrats, sounds very nice!

Copy that. Be sure to post of some pics to show her off when she comes in

I liked the one that the winner of the Wright Patman tourney was fishing from that thang was roomy.

This boat sounds ghey

Congrats on the new ride. I did a ton of research on aluminum boats. There are pros and cons like anything, but with all the upgrades in technology and building materials they fish better than ever.

Congrats!

You are an expert on ghey.

You know the saying: “two best times in a boaters life; the day he buys his new boat and the day he sells it........” oh never mind🤔🤷🏻‍♂️🤪! Sounds like you’ve done your homework. Enjoy and post pics!