Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 vs Tracker Bass 1650: 70% recreational cruising and 30% fishing. Both deals are crazy, the v hull Crestliner is powered by a 2000 50 Johnson and the mod hull...

FS Digest

70% recreational cruising and 30% fishing. Both deals are crazy, the v hull Crestliner is powered by a 2000 50 Johnson and the mod hull Tracker is powered by a 2001 25 Mercury. It would be just wife, me, and our little dogs most of the time. We boat at Lake Anna, VA. Which boat would you choose and why?

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by eoseidon

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

eoseidon: You left out one important factor, what was the price of each? Just Sayin...RJS

Maximo Loc: Jupiter, Fl

The larger motor might run quieter and more fuel efficient since you’re not pushing it so hard to maintain cruising speed. Are they both four strokes?

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

FS Digest wrote:

70% recreational cruising and 30% fishing. Both deals are crazy, the v hull Crestliner is powered by a 2000 50 Johnson and the mod hull Tracker is powered by a 2001 25 Mercury. It would be just wife, me, and our little dogs most of the time. We boat at Lake Anna, VA. Which boat would you choose and why?

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by eoseidon

I have a 2000 Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk that I just got a few months ago that has a 60hp Suzuki 4 stroke that had 40 hours on it when I bought it. A few years ago I had a 16 foot Lowe with a 25hp Mercury 4 stroke, I hated that because that just was not enough power to pop it up onto a plane, it was right on the edge at about 20mph. The 1650 runs very nice and comes up on plane very easily, and runs at about 32 to 35 depending on prop and altitude.

The Fish Hawk is a very nice sized boat for two people, can't comment on the Tracker except to say that 25hp would be anemic in terms of power. We're pretty happy with the Fish Hawk, we put a Terrova 80lb 24v trolling motor with the autopilot and spot lock and love that thing. The Fish Hawk has a two battery compartment up front, and two batteries in back so you can have one for starting and another for downriggers and accessories and two for a 24volt trolling motor.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

FS Digest wrote:

70% recreational cruising and 30% fishing. Both deals are crazy, the v hull Crestliner is powered by a 2000 50 Johnson and the mod hull Tracker is powered by a 2001 25 Mercury. It would be just wife, me, and our little dogs most of the time. We boat at Lake Anna, VA. Which boat would you choose and why?

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by eoseidon

The Tracker is an all welded boat. How bout the Crestliner?
However, I really think the Tracker is under powdered.
I think you would be happier with the 50HP more than the 25.
I have a Tracker 185 with a 60HP 4 stroke. Gets up on plane real easy and WOT is bout 35mph.
Also it is VERY easy on gas.

GaryH Loc: Northern Pa.

I second that. See what the cost of the tracker with a 50 hp and then compare prices.

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

saw1 wrote:

The Tracker is an all welded boat. How bout the Crestliner?
However, I really think the Tracker is under powdered.
I think you would be happier with the 50HP more than the 25.
I have a Tracker 185 with a 60HP 4 stroke. Gets up on plane real easy and WOT is bout 35mph.
Also it is VERY easy on gas.

All welded, made very well, sounds heavy and well constructed.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I don’t think you will be disappointed with the Crestliner. It is nice to have that extra power to get off the water if the weather turns ugly, too!

Jim Sargent Loc: Payson, AZ

I think the Tracker is underpowered. Definitely insist on a test ride with at least two if not three people on the boat. An underpowered boat that takes forever to get on plane is frustrating enough to take the fun out of any fishing trip.

MTJ

FS Digest wrote:

70% recreational cruising and 30% fishing. Both deals are crazy, the v hull Crestliner is powered by a 2000 50 Johnson and the mod hull Tracker is powered by a 2001 25 Mercury. It would be just wife, me, and our little dogs most of the time. We boat at Lake Anna, VA. Which boat would you choose and why?

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by eoseidon

Hey eoseidon,

This choice is NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!
I've owned both and have been in fishing clubs for over 50 years. Used to live near Springfield, MO and was a huge fan of Tracker and BPS....NO MORE! Unless you are an Elite Pro, your Tracker will be made cheaply, with inferior parts, and poor shop service. Look at the decline in Cabela's equipment since BPS took over. Crestliner is by far the superior product.

ONE example of many I could give you....2019 new from the factory Tracker (not the 1650, but a top line bass boat)...the port rod locker was soaking wet after fishing in the rain ...called the shop....they said "not our problem"....checked internet chat rooms...Tracker Owners had been complaining about port side leaks for 4 years! Several people described how they fixed this problem...ARE YOU SERIOUS? dry storage has been standard on bass boats for 40 years! Called the shop back..."not our problem"......called Tracker...they said "talk to the shop where you bought it".....disgusting.....

b

Farrlee

The crestliner is the better one . the tracker is very underpowered I would like to see at lest a 70hp on both for safety if your lake have any size to them. but the 50 will be better if bad weather comes up. I been around boat of over 30 year and a 16 foot + boat with only 25hp is not good

GaryH Loc: Northern Pa.

I’ve never heard anybody say I wish my boat had less power.

MTJ

FS Digest wrote:

70% recreational cruising and 30% fishing. Both deals are crazy, the v hull Crestliner is powered by a 2000 50 Johnson and the mod hull Tracker is powered by a 2001 25 Mercury. It would be just wife, me, and our little dogs most of the time. We boat at Lake Anna, VA. Which boat would you choose and why?

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by eoseidon

Crestliners are welded, and I agree with others 25hp is not enough motor for 16' boat.
My Crestliner 1650 has a Merc 50 4 stroke, factory prop, easily gets on plane, and 30 mph is enough for me.

MTJ

Will Beachy Loc: Middlebury,In

I've had a tracker 18',and the last 20+years I've had a 1750 fish hawk,Crestliner has a much better ride and can take bigger water then the tracker can

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

FS Digest wrote:

70% recreational cruising and 30% fishing. Both deals are crazy, the v hull Crestliner is powered by a 2000 50 Johnson and the mod hull Tracker is powered by a 2001 25 Mercury. It would be just wife, me, and our little dogs most of the time. We boat at Lake Anna, VA. Which boat would you choose and why?

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by eoseidon

Have a Bass Tracker exactly like yours, except we have a huge trolling motor up front to fight the heavy current on the Mississippi River. Never had any problem catching fish out of a little tin boat . Have never caught a fish going over 35 mph !