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Lund Pro guide 1725 vs Alumacraft 175


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How would you guys rate these two tiller boats?

Yamaha(75hp), Honda(75hp), or Suzuki(70hp) motor?

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LUND Pro Guide depending on the price compared to the Alumacraft.

1.Yamaha

2.Honda

3.Suzuki

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Hey bobby,

I looked at these boats at the boat show a month or so back and have to tell you I was impressed by both. For the Alumacraft, which model were you looking at? The have quite a few 175 models, the Navigator is a very well layed out boat with a lot of features, the Tournament Pro 175 Tiller is an awesome boat with just about everything anyone could expect from a 17'-6"ish tiller boat. On the other side of the coin, the Lund is an amazing boat, and I love the layout of the Pro Guide series from Lund. If I were buying a new boat this year, no doubt in my mind it would be one of the Lund Pro Guides. I think that line is the most well equiped for the money in their line.

One thing to note, if you get a Lund, you get a Mercury 75, either Optimax or 4 Stroke, no other motor options since Mercury and Lund are both Brunswick owned companies with a strong contractual bind. Now if you go with the Alumacraft, you have the option of different power sources which may be a deciding factor for you. Depending on the dealer, you should be able to get any of those motors you mentioned mounted on the back.

In my opinion, the Yamaha would rate highest based on the availability of the handle mounted rpm control system they have. I can't remember the exact name right now, but it lets you fine tune your rpms to dial in the trolling speed you want. From what I have seen on the water though, the Suzuki motor is the quietest out there. Absolutely silent, all the way up to the 140 model I have seen and tried to listen to from 20 feet away.

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Yamaha's tiller handle is call The Multi-Function Tiller Handle.

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Yes lund's come with factory installed Merc's, unless the dealership is also a dealer of Honda outboards, Lund will ship a boat and allow Honda outboards be installed at that dealership. Info is direct for Staples Sports in Lincoln, Mn. That's the only other option out of the showroom.

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If anyone owns one of these tillers, could you elaborate on the things you love and the things you would change on them? I was hoping for some expert advice!

I have talked to three dealerships and they all handle Yamaha and would put one on. Staples has one with a Honda and I would have to order.

I found out you can get what you want if it will cost Brunswick only one sale verses two!

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Nationally Alumacraft sells more boats than Lund and Crestliner combined.

Largest privatley owned boat builder in the country

4th largest boat builder in the US.

That tells me something!

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 Quote:
Nationally Alumacraft sells more boats than Lund and Crestliner combined.

Not that I have any real reason to doubt you, but I had no idea. Where does one come across those statistics? If they are selling more boats than the two big Brunswick companies put together, that's a lot of boats. Or, are they sneaking canoes into those stats? Interesting stuff.

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 Originally Posted By: Chubby
Nationally Alumacraft sells more boats than Lund and Crestliner combined.

This is possibly true, when you include their canoes and jon boats . . .

Many Lund dealers can and will put any brand of motor they carry on back of a Lund, it may cost more than a Merc. Be sure to check with the dealer regarding non Mercs, as many OEMs, such as BRP, are offering dealers incentives to hang their motors on transoms.

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BOth boats and motors are good units, but for trade in value and value retention, the Lund / Yamaha combo will get you more in the end, it depends on your situation, but Ive never regreted buying more to start with and getting more back years down the line, good luck with your choice, either way you'll end up in a fun boat to fish in.

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I have an Alumacraft with a 200 Honda and you can talk to the guy next to you in a normal voice when it is wide open. I have a full windshield I might add. Just my .02. But they are all great motors.

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I HAVE A Alumacraft 185 W 200 YAMAHA 4 STROKE AND LOVE IT, BEFORE THAT BOAT I USED MY UNCLES 2002 PRO V W A 90 TILLER AND LOVED THAT TO, LIKE SAID BEFORE VERY QUIT AND STILL HAVE THE POWER

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I currently own an Alumacraft Tourny Pro 175, 1999 tiller model (17' 11" and 86" beem). Used mostly for walleye, some muskie and lake trout/salmon. Absolutly love the boat. With that said though, I have not been in a Pro Guide. The newer versions are laid out a little different, but not much - very well thought out. Lots of storage for rods, batteries, and all the fishing gear. I thought I had a lot of stuff but have room to spare, even with two guys worth of equipment. Handles BIG water well (Lake Superior). I do get wet, just like any tiller, but that does not bother me. Fish-ability is great up to 3 guys, 4 is do-able but snug. I have a '98 75hp Merc (carb 2-stroke). With 1/2 tank gas-around 20gal, fully loaded with fishing gear, myself and dog, it'll do 36-37 GPS.

Love the Alumacraft and have heard nothing but great things about Lund. With the Alumacraft, you'll get a little more for your money and more power options.

My 2 cents, hope it helps.

ERW

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Bobby,

No doubt in my mind that the Lund Pro Guide and Alumacraft 175 are great tiller boats. One other aluminum that you may want to consider is the Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk. You are somewhat bound to a Mercury motor, but the boat can hold a 90hp tiller. I believe that makes it the highest horsepower capacity of all the 17 foot class aluminum tillers around. I own an 1850 Fish Hawk tiller and would not swap its layout with any other boat.

Worth a look in my opinion. But, choose any of the 3 any you will have chosen an outstanding, Minnesota built boat.

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I have an Alumacraft Navigator 175 with a Yamaha 75 hp 4-stroke. I love the boat. It has a ton of room, 17'6" with a 93" beam. Dual live wells with an intergrated bait well in the bow. The motor is quiet. The Variable Trolling Speed switch is great for idling the motor way down to troll with. The Yammy is great on gas. The large gas tank (40 gallons) is nice for long trips. We went to Lower Manitou two years ago. We drove into the resort, did a lot of driving for the four days(fishing from 6 a.m. to about 10 p.m.) we were there and drove out with more than enough gas left in the tank.

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Bobby, I am assuming you are comparing the Pro Guide with the Navigator, correct? Alumacraft does not make a Tourney Pro 175 any more (they switched it to 185).

Choosing between these two boats, I would have to go with the Lund for two main reasons. 1. The Lund has center Rod storage and 2. The Lund Pro Trak system

Comparing the hulls... I believe the Alumacraft is slightly thicker with an .80/.80 compared to .80/.63. This won't make much difference though.

Either way you will be fine. You are choosing between the two best Aluminum boat brands.

Good Luck!

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Having just looked pretty intensely for a new / used boat I know what you're going through. The two boats we looked at alot at the Sportsman show was the Lund Pro Guide and the Alumacraft Navigator 175. I honestly came in with no biases although I do own an '83 Alumacraft Lunker 14SS. They are both very nice boats, and I am certainly no expert. I think the center road storage is nice to have in a larger boat but i.m.o. it took up quite a bit of space in the 1725. A second thing we "noticed" with the Alumacraft (again, I'm saying this not as expert but just an average "joe") is I thought the Alumacraft's fit / finish was better. The deck hardware seemed better quality, the carpeting seemed to lay down better. If both boats were equal in price it might have made my decision harder but the Lund similarly equiped was 3 - 4 grand more.

Now I ended up buying used (that was really my plan, I just wanted to see the new boats to help me narrow my search). I can say that the Lunds seem to hold their value a little better. I won't get into my anal retentive method for checking this as it involved an excel spreadsheet (hey what can I say, I'm an engineer) but it is true, you seem to be able to get more money out of the Lunds when you sell them. Is it worth the additional money you pay up front - for me (on top of the other general observations listed above) it is not. But I am also not someone who turns their stuff over every couple of years so resale is not a huge factor for me.

I will say that I think you've narrowed your search down to the two best Aluminum boats (by a good margin) on the market so I really doubt you will be dissapointed with either. Another factor that hasn't been mentioned but should be is dealer support. If you're buying new - or even used but intend to have a dealer service it - check out wich dealer you "like" the best. With two boats so evenly matched (again in my opinion) that very well could decide which way you go. Sorry for the length of this post, hope it helps and share once you make a decision. Good Luck! Paul

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Rost is correct, Alumacraft no longer makes the Tourny 175. The last few models of the 175 were rated for a 90hp with a 97" beem. I have seen used models for sale for a decent price. The newer models do have the center rod storage in the bow and in the gunnels, but not sure what year they started that, my '99 does not have it. One thing I really like about the Tourny Pro's is that they have a really wide gunnel. Lets you mount rod holders, down riggers, just about anything you want. Also makes a nice step for getting in and out, place to sit, etc. Another thing different bewteen the Lund and Alumacraft is the Alumacraft 2xb hull runs the length of the boat, where the Lund IPS (correct me if I'm wrong)is just a bow plate.

Personally, the Pro Guide 2010 with the 175 Opti is my dream boat, but way out of my price range.

I know a couple guys that run Yammy 4 strokes - great motor, really quiet. I've also been hearing that the Suzuki's are great motors. Again, my 2 cents.

ERW

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 Originally Posted By: ewirz
the Lund IPS (correct me if I'm wrong)is just a bow plate.

The Lund IPS hull is a change in geometry to the hull and does not affect hull thickness.

marine_man

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You were right that it is just the bow that is double plated on the Lunds where as the Alumacrafts with 2XB Hull's are double plated the entire length.

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we fish an 08 tourney pro with a 90hp yamaha tiller. It is fantastic. The new decals for Alumacraft are terrible, but the boat performs amazingly.

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I decided to go with the lund pro guide and yamaha 75 four stroke! It was a hard decision when it came to quality, I just felt for the money I had to pay (not as much as I originally thought), the extra features in a lund pro guide over the navigator were well worth it. After reading all the posts, I felt either boat would of been the right buy! Thanks for all of your help.

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You're going to really like that.

I have an Explorer with a 75 Yamaha and it is great.

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Bobby - I ended up with a Navigator (used) but it was a toss up between that and the Lund. You're going to love that boat and I'm sure you'll make some great fishing memories with it. Good Luck and think open water! Paul

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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