Decision has been made!!! - Warrior vs. Alumacraft

[PTocko]

First off - I know these two boats are very different. I am coming from a 1984 Alumacraft Lunker 14 SS with a 30 hp Mariner. It has been an awesome boat for where I fish - local metro lakes and small lakes in northern MN. It is in good shape and the motor runs strong so why change? I have a 2 1/2 year old that loves to fish (which is great) and the couple of times I had him on the boat last year were scary - too many things to trip over, too easy to possibly fall overboard etc. So, I'm looking for a wider, slightly longer boat with flat floor so he can move around with less fear of tripping. I do NOT care about power, I just want something wide, flat and relatively kid friendly. I have narrowed it down to two choices - Both boats are very clean, priced fairly, tiller steer (which I want).

1) 2001 Alumacraft Navigator 165 with a 40 HP 4 stroke Mercury.

2) 1997 Warrior Eagle 177BT with a 70 HP 4 stroke Honda

I'm leaning more towards the Navigator just because it is way more in my comfort zone. I know and am happy with Alumacraft and it meets my main requirements of being wide with nothing to trip over. The Warrior is more $'s (3k) but I understand it is more boat, maybe too much? I would almost be embarressed taking what I know to be a tournement ready boat crappie / sunnie fishing with my two year old. Mainly I believe I wouldn't even begin to appreciate all this boat could offer. The only reason I am still considering the Warrior is the ride. I know very little about the Navigator ride but I am assuming it will be comfortable and dry on lakes that I fish - Prior, White Bear, Spring etc. - I know the Warrior will be safe and dry on lakes much larger than these.

Sorry for the length - any thoughts on either or both boats would be appreciated. As I feel both boats are priced fairly price is not the driving issue but rather value for what I am going use the boat for. If the Navigator will do what I am asking I would jsut as soon save the money. Thanks and think open water. Paul

[Sandmannd]

IMO you are getting value for each boat. I have a 165 Alumacraft and love it. Mine has a 75 on the back and it's a steering wheel. I wouldn't hessitate taking my 2 1/2 yr old daughter out this summer. They are nice and wide and ride pretty good and are deap enough.

If I had the money and the 3k wasn't an issue, I would go with the warrior. It's bigger, has a bigger motor and is going to be a better ride. I wouldn't worry about taking it out pan fishing, have seen a lot doing it. Plus this boat would last you and as your son grows you can hit the bigger water with it.

You will stay plenty dry with both boats and have a blast on either you choose.

[rodmaker]

shoot me an e-mail . I can give you more info on Alumacrafts. I like mine

[marine_man]

How about you share the info here for everyone rodmaker - that's what makes this site the great site that it is - people sharing information!

marine_man

[buddha]

I have a Alumacraft with a 4 stroke Honda and I love both. I won't begin to get into a debate vs. the two boats because they are both great. You do need to consider the future as you may want to fish bigger water as your son grows. I have two small kids too and the high sides on my boat gives me a little added piece of mind.

[rodmaker]

I forgot PTocko, welcome to FM

I like my Alumacraft 1994 with a 75 hp Merc tiller. I fish Mille Lacs and it fits the bill nicely. Alot of floor space to move around. With 3 people I can reach around 35 mph.

I may know of someone who is considering selling a boat like this. How do I get in contact with

PTocko??? to relay more info. I know you can't give out specifics here on this post.

[TrophyEyes]

Rodmaker, wierd, I know someone that is selling a boat like that too.

I would go with the Warrior in my opinion. I have fished out of Warriors, Lunds, Alumacrafts and Rangers and I would rank them as follows

Ranger

Warrior

Lund Pro-V

Alumacraft

and then all the rest.

[WaveWacker]

Without looking at the specifics...the alumacraft may actually have just a bit more floor space. Another thing is that the Warrior most likely will be on a bunk trailer and the alumacraft on a roller one. If water levels are down (and this hold especially true to smaller lakes with shallower access) it may be easier to load/crank your boat up on a roller trailer then a bunk trailer.

I personally wouldn't skimp on hp of the motor. Not sure what the 165 is rated for but I'd get as close to the max as you can afford. You'll never regret it.

[rodmaker]

Hey there!!!!

If Ptocko doesn't fish huge water alot, an Alumacraft would work for him.

If I were to rate aluminum

Lund

Alumacraft (alot of value for the money) no complaints on mine

Glass would be from what I've seen and spoke with people

Yarcraft

Warrior

Ranger (just because the other two have alot of floor space)

Ready for the Pond!!!!!

[rodmaker]

My Alumacraft has more floor space than a Ranger, and the YarCraft & Warroir are pretty close to what I have.

I know that the ride in the ranger, warrior, yarcraft can't be beat. If you don't fish the bigger bodies of water , aluminum is great!!!

I have a Shoreland'r 2400 lb roller on my Alumacraft 185 it works great. Shallow water is not a problem.

I know with the bunks it isn't as easy to load unload.

[HOT SPOT]

IF I WERE YOU I WOULD GET WHAT EVER FITS YOUR NEEDS THE BEST, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE SAY GET THIS ARE THAT, BUT I PERSONALLY WORKED AT BOAT COMPANY, AND THEY ARE ALL GOOD BOATS.

OBVIOUSLLY A FIBERGLASS BOAT WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE SMOOTHER RIDE, BUT THE DOMINATOR DOES HAVE A GREAT FLOOR PLAN. PERSONALLY I AM NOT FOND OF WARIORS, BUT I DO NO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LOVE THEM, I PERSONALLY RUN A ALUMACRAFT 185 AND HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM. THE BIGGEST THING I WOULD WORRY ABOUT IS HOW RELIABLE THE MOTOR IS. HAPPY BOAT SHOPPING AND GOOD LUCK, GO WHITH WHAT WILL FIT YOUR NEEDS THE BEST

[fishorgolf]

I would go with the larger boat for the reasons of better ride on any size water. I have never heard anyone say "boy I wish my boat was smal

[PTocko]

All I can say is "wow" - thanks for the great replys. I'm really glad it did not start a debate as to which is a better boat. I'm not stupid - I know the Warrior is probably a "better" boat but new it also costs twice as much. Several replys are really helping me make my decision.

1) Bunk vs. Roller trailer - no question the Warrior's bunk trailor is making me a little hesitant, especially if lake levels stay low (or God forbid even drop). As I will have a kid with me - ease (and speed) getting on / off the trailor is going to be important.

2) I appreciate the ability to fish larger water with the Warrior. That being said, I just don't see myself doing it. People are right, maybe when my son is older he will want to. If that happens we can always upgrade at that time (if we go with the Navigator).

3) The Navigator is wider than the Warrior, usable space is fairly comparable as the rod holders for the Warror are "tucked" into the side where as on the Navigator they form a little "bench" that takes up a little floor space. I view this as a positive and a negative - The Warrior being deeper from floor to gunnel is probably safer, however the little guy might appreciate a little bench to sit on while fishing over the side. We'll call this one a toss-up.

I am leaning more towards the Navigator, again mostly because I think it will meet my needs and be more in line with how I use a fishing boat. Compared to my Lunker I'm pretty sure both will feel like a Cadilac - and I've been happy with the Lunker so no knock on it. Thanks again for the great welcome. Paul

[rodmaker]

Glad you got a ton of info here. I'm sure you will enjoy FM. Check out my other replies here. Hopefully they will help with Alumacraft boats

[Sandmannd]

Forgot to say welcome to FM. You'll have to let us know what you end up with.

[PTocko]

First off - thanks for all of the input yesterday. I decided on the Navigator and bought it last night. Main reasons for deciding to go with the Navigator were -

1) Probably easier to handle loading / unloading by myself which will be most of the time.

2) The lakes I fish a lot do not require the Warrior to stay dry on. I'm not fishing ML or Leech. I know that I would have noticed the smoother ride but I did not believe it to be necessary.

3) From a value perspective, the Navigator just "fit" better. It was less money and still met my needs of a wider boat with fewer things to trip on.

4) The real kicker, the Navigator will for sure fit in my garage as it had a swing tounge and the Warrior would have been VERY tight. I know this is probably NOT the best reason to use but all things being relatively equal it kind of became the tipping factor.

Coming from an 83 Lunker SS I'm sure either boat will handle amazing. And when I say the Navigator just fit better, that's kind of what I meant. The Lunker has never let me down and has allowed me to fish the places I want to fish (on the days I want to fish) comfortably and safely. The Navigator I'm sure will afford the same with the ability to bring my kid and not have to worry as much about him hurting himself. I intend to keep the Lunker and use it at the cabin to fish some off the beaten path lakes where a smaller boat (read "less likely to care if scratched" boat) will be an advantage.

I do have a little remorse - not anything bad re: the Navigator just more about it would have been "nice" to have a Warrior. They are a great boat and you can tell why people who own them have so much pride. But as a current Alumacraft owner I know I'll be taken care of. Thanks again, I appreciate the help.

[rodmaker]

Congrats!!!! Sounds like you made the correct purchase based on your type of fishing & needs!!!!

[Sandmannd]

Congrats, that will be a great boat for you and your son to fish out of.

[polarsusd81]

Sounds like you got yourself a good deal on a great boat. Congrats and enjoy the new craft.

[PerchJerker]

Sounds to me like a well-thought out decision, you should be very happy with your Navigator.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I knew when I first read your post that the Alumacraft was the right choice for you and that it was the one you actually wanted.

Sometimes it just takes a little thinking out loud to convince ourselves of the decision we have already made.

I know you will be very pleased with it. I sure like mine. Now we just need to blow a hole in the ice big enough to float the boat! This winter has been WAY to long!

(2002 Navigator 165CS; 50hp Yamaha)

[idratherbefishing]

You will enjoy your Navigator. I have an 02 Navigator with a 60hp Yamaha 4Stroke and love it. I have fished on Mille Lacs with it several times. I have a 2 1/2 year old who cant wait to put on her barbie doll life jacket and go fishing with Dad! Fun times.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Hey PTocko, what did you have to pay for your new rig?

[PTocko]

I paid 7900 for the whole rig - the only thing I added / replaced was a lower end Garmin Sonar with a Lowrance LMS-523 Sonar/GPS combo. So I'm $650 in on top of everything else. Hope this helps. Paul

[rodmaker]

I wish you would have contacted me before you made your purchase. The price sounds good!!!!

[EYESTALKER]

I guess I'll be the one to ask the hard hitting question. So, how does it look behind your truck???