Advice on a new boat please

I’m currently looking at a new boat. I’ll be downrigging and using the electric motor to get into shallow back bays. I would love to hear what brands you guys have experience with. I’m hoping to use the new boat for the next 20 years

Very broad topic. So many variables to your needs.
Do you plan on it being a multi species and recreational boat? Tubing or water ski usage? Are we talking a tiller or console model? Do you prefer fibreglass or aluminum?

For multi species and water sports I prefer two brands with mod V hulls. Minimum 115 up as I do water sports with my kids.

For a riveted hull I personally believe you can not beat PrinceCraft.

For a welded hull Crestliner is the best of the best with a Chanel lock system where the aluminum sheets meet with welds inside and out and thick gauge aluminum.

There may be other factors as far as features other manufacturers offer but IMO the hull is more important than any feature.

This is just my opinion but both are premium brands.

PrinceCraft. Quality made in Canada

Thank you. I am looking at boats around 19-20’ full windshield and mostly used for fishing

Hull is number one for sure. 2nd being interior use of space. Many multispecies boats nowadays have rear flip seats or benches, it is a nice option for family and multispecies with the rear casting options however I personally dont like having to climb on the rear casting deck or seats to net a fish while trolling. Especially solo or with little ones on board, one wrong wave or off balance move and you could potentially go overboard. I see a lot of guys straddling motors or putting a foot on the gunnels for balance to net a fish, very unsafe. I like aluminum boats with access to the transom area, have a look at some models such as Crestliner Commander or Authority, Lund baron, Starcraft Fishmaster, Kingfisher, Smokercraft. All quality boats and hulls with quality use of interior space. I personally own a Crestliner Commander and really like the access to the rear and safe for kids however without a large casting deck the multispecies aspect is limited, mind you 19+ feet you wont have to worry so much, I have the 18' and wish for more elevated casting space. Hope this helps

What about King Fisher?

It’s been narrowed down to StarCraft fishmaster 196 and Lund fisherman 2075. I need to look at these in person. Do you guys have any experience with either of these boats?

Between the two I would go with a Lund.

I know someone who sells them. If you want I can provide a name etc. Feel free to PM me.

I bought a new 196 Fishmaster in 2019 . I have nothing but good things to say about it, very good boat for the great lakes. big deep v hull never have i felt unsafe trolling georgian bay and lake ontario. Well appointed with lots of fishable area.The two cutouts at the transom area make it easy to fight and net fish at the back of the boat.Very deep standing inside of it, never feel like your going to fall out even in rough water.The lund is a very good boat but i just think you get more bang for your buck with the starcraft .If you have any questions feel free to reach out ,i will heip if i can. Happy shopping. Dan aka Grampa

Good friend of mine owns a Fishmaster, he was deciding between a Lund and the Starcraft and went with the Starcraft. Make sure you max out your HP. I m sure you will be happy with either vessel. I had a Lund for 10 years and had noting but good experiences with it. Both are quality boats. Good luck with your purchase.

Thank you guys. It makes me feel better about the boat I was leaning towards.

Hello guys. I have Lund Fisherman 1700 2004. Bought it used in 2014. Very stable on waves, wide . Little heavy to pull this days. That time i did not know what to check when you buy used boat specially reputation of Lund boats talking for themself.(BS) About 4 years ago I
realise that transom of the boat is shut. To find some body to replace the transom not so easy plus cost very high. Decided to do by myself What it was look like when I pull out the transom. Transom was made from cheap contraction plywood not marine plywood pieces of plywood were staple by cheap steal staples not SS. which left more than couple holes in rear plate. Couple years ago I was fishing decided to change a spot .start motor boat hardly moving realise something wrong. boat is to heavy conclusion one of the rivets pop up Shame on Lund boats. Before you buy check reviews. what you can expect from this boat in future I can provide more pics.

All Lunds 2017+ use composite transoms. Find me a boat made with a plywood transom that doesn't have any rot lol.

If you did a bit of research beforehand you would have known EXACTLY what you were getting into buying a Lund of that vintage. My '03 needs a new transom as well, but I could run it for another 10 years and you'd never see the motor rip off the back of my boat.

Hello All
In addition to my previous post, I want to say that in Lund fishermen to replace the transom you need to take apart almost the entire boat you need to remove the gunwale, and remove the entire back platform it is easy to say but it involves a lot of work. In the next picture, you can see what kind of holes create steel staples in contact with aluminum plates. The holes are not repairable just patch or screw a stainless steel screw. One more impression I had was when I was trying to plug a hole from a missing rivet I remove the center floor panel and I see an empty chewing gum package. It means assemblers toss the package and cover it with a floor panel. what I want to say is that for the money we paying it's supposed to be shiny not just outside but inside too. I replaced the transom just my way. By the way that rotten transom was unbelievably heavy.

You found a gum wrapper, I had a truck where I found a Mexican Peso under the front seat.