crestliner sportsman 18'

[grit]

I'm seriously considering buying one of these for fishing on some of our big lakes.Does anyone have any experience with the 18' crestliner sportsman tiller.It has a new mercury 40 hp 4 stroke on it. Wondering how these boats handle in bigger water, and if a 40hp would be enough.Boat weights 650lbs empty

thanks

 

[AKBoater]

I've spent uncountable hours in both 16' and 18' sportsmans running a tiller. The 40hp is great on the 18' and that boat is a pretty solid platform. I've bounced some fairly heavy seas in those and they handle great up to about 4ft but that starts to get a little squirelly. If the price is good, I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up.

 

[Ruger01]

I rented an 18', but with a steering wheel. Great boat, and ran great. Used it in the ocean, and had some 1-2' chop.

 

[300 Ultra]

I used to have an 18' Sportsman - it was an excellent skiff. I used it in the Kenai River and Kachemak Bay, and in the salt when we lived in Juneau. Handled choppy water pretty well for an 18' boat. Mine had a Honda 50, but a 40 would be plenty of power for it.

 

[wildog]

I rented one just like that in Cordova, my family of six took it all over the islands and shores for a day, had a great time and loved how it handled.

 

[jtm9]

I had a 18' with a 40hp Mercury Bigfoot. I am a big guy and the 40hp was almost to fast with just me and a fuel can. I think they are deeper than an 18' Lund and I would own another.

 

[AKBoater]

They are slightly deeper but that's because they still have a slight V in the stern. Despite being heavier they tend to run faster than lunds because they actually have a hull design and not just a flat bottom.

 

[rrjfish8]

I had the 16 for two years then the family got bigger. but I had it all over the place and loved it. I had a 30hp merc. Made a lot of fabs to it and if you get one I can send you some pics of what I did and what I would do after the fact now. if you look at my pics you will see it. Great boat cuts chop great and takes no water to float.