landry

Now that bass season is open, I wonder if the 2 sponsored/wrapped bass boats will be out flippin bass again on Puslinch lake - or do the only fish bass out of season there? The amount of poaching on that lake is sick in the spring. Ya - I could tell you what one of the wraps was (an apple farm sponsor of all things) but what is the point - they'll just try to deny it. The same boat cut me off by 100 feet and proceeded to start fishing last summer as I was fishing a shoreline with my children. Just a minor rant. I am home sick this morning and a little bitter!

There are lots of good deals in the states all year but the fall is the best time to get an absolute bargain. Check out this: type in sitemash crestliner for example into a google search. You will find a site called jaxed that will hunt out every crestliner listed on ebay, craigslist and kijiji in North America - newest listings will be at the top and you can narrow your search to include key words and even by state too. that is how I found my last 2 boats. I bought my first crestliner fish hawk in Michigan and sold it 2 years later for a profit of 2500 bucks (including travel costs...). I just bought a 2007 1600 fish hawk with a 75 optimax (with 20 hours on it and extended warranty) for 11, 750 (taxes, travel... included). It is a new boat practically and it is still under warranty. You need some key paperwork, the trailer must not be recalled, and you pay 13% tax plus a 205$ trailer fee and that's it! Lots of boats in Michigan and PA. I just looked every day for a while and pounced when I saw an opportunity. As long as the dollar stays strong it is a great way to buy. Your best bet is to find a model you like and then stick with it - that way you can compare apples to apples. Lund (may be too pricey for your budget), Crestliner, Alumacraft and Princecraft are all well built aluminums that hold their value better than most. I would stay away from Legends or Trackers as they do not hold their value as well. PM me if u need more details re paperwork needed... Landry

That princecraft is a very fair price. My advice - buy an almost new boat in the fall in the states. You will save thousands and it will be a heck of a lot more boat than the legend.

I had the 70 hp version of that motor - assuming it is a 4 stroke. It was quiet and never gave me problems. That is a weird lookin boat - may be hard to get much for it.

Nelson, the owner is a great guy - I find it hard to believe that he would be rude to a customer. Landry

if u r going to sell it rather than use it till it dies then buy the 2010 ETEC. But - I am sure the johnson is perfectly fine and they are great/reliable engines. Having said that - the Johnson should be heavily discounted!!!!!! Landry

If you are saving 1500 then u made a great decision cause the Johnson is a great motor. It is ridiculously quiet and smooth.

I owned the Johnson/Suzuki for 3 years. It was an amazing motor - almost silent, amazing on gas, started beautifully, plenty fast and a little heavy at 360 pounds. Parts were easy to get on net or through my local dealer but it never needed fixing and is a good choice too. If the etec is lighter then it may win the battle:)

Is the river near goose bay and goose bay area dirty as well???? Thanks. Heading up Sunday Landry

What model is it? I have owned 2 of these boats and have a very good idea of their current value in the states - it may not be that great of a deal anyways. PM me if u like. Landry

I found my last 2 boats on jaxed - it is a good site. There is a real nice nitro 750 for 7500 in Rhode Island now if u r looking at a small bass boat. There is also a brand new crestliner fish hawk 1600 (50 hp 4 stroke) tiller for sale at 12500, which is a great deal too. Landry

I flyfish for carp in the shallows. Could you PM me and tell me where u were?????? Thanks Landry

i like the idea of adding a coating to prevent further chipping. Great idea:) Landry

I have a 2007 trailer with stone chips galore and rust has started. It is not deep - just surface - so I was hoping I could sand/grind it off and prep it myself then have it sprayed by someone as a side job. i live in Cambridge. Anyone on this board do auto painting on the side or know anyone who does this. Need some connections and pricing. Thanks a ton. It is an ez loader for a 16' crestliner - not much to paint at all - a tiny fraction of a car job. Any advice too?????? Landry

you will be disappointed on their strength. They jump and move quick but they have very little weight/pull. I bored of it in no time and went back to a real flyfishing challenge - carp:)

I am bumping it cause someone will be sorry if they miss this.

Just a heads up. I just bought a boat in the states and I love it but I can't stop looking so I found this SWEET deal. Google "sitemash crestliner" and get to jaxed.com.Type in Fish Hawk and voila - a brand new crestliner fish hawk 1600 tiller with 60 hp 4 stroke merc on it being sold by a dealer. This is no scam. It is from a closed dealership being sold by an existing one in Chicago area. NEW - 12500 + Canadian taxes (13%) + 209 RIV trailer fee. Just trying to help out my fellow Canadians!!!!! This boat will be gone by tomorrow for sure! I have owned 2 side console versions of this boat and it is a sweet ride. Landry

I just bought a practically new fish hawk in Iowa for a GREAT price. Second boat I have bought in the U.S. You will typically save about 3 grand on a boat that would cost you 10 - 17 grand here - if you take your time and hunt carefully. Always buy privately - pay cash - and have the boat compression and leak-down tested (lower unit check too). I typed in "sitemash crestliner" to find my fish hawk. It will direct you to a site called jaxed that will list all crestliner fish hawks (for example) for you in North America that are listed on Craigslist, ebay... the newest ones being listed on top. Check it daily and be ready to pounce. The border thing is a piece of cake. PM me if you need more info on the paperwork needed. You pay only PST, GST and 209$ trailer import/safety fee. I don't import the boat planning to flip them - I import boats I would be happy keeping forever, but when the dollar gets close to par it is a good time to shop down south. If you do flip it, it is possible to actually make money after you have used it for a couple of years (if all goes well). Landry

buy in the states!!!!!! a barely used one will save you soooooo much money with the way our $ is now:) Landry

I am fully aware that I would not be upgrading - what I would be getting is new but louder, slightly slower engine and an equivalent boat. I am just thinking the boat would be trouble free for many years (hopefully) with no surprises - which isn't guaranteed but I would think more likely than with a 2003. And yes my 2003 runs perfectly. I should probably just leave it be and enjoy what I have. Maybe I need professional help!!! Landry

Go to fishmasters in dunnville and buy the cutbait, weights, swivels and hooks there!!!!!! Launch at his place and follow the boats (respectfully). It is pretty easy. A flippn stick and 30 - 50 lb braid will do (or 20 lb mono). Attach a lighter leader. Use 2 anchors if you have them - and bottom fish. It is FUN!!! Good luck! Landry

changing an impeller is esy. most likely when you see it it will be fine but it never hurts to be safe. Last fall, I saw a guy hand crank his very nice boat onto his trailer until the prop was high and dry and running!!!! It ran for at least 3 minutes out of the water - why - I don't know. It was disturbing to watch. The next day I saw a guy run his old 25hp in the parking lot just to make sure it was running before they launched!!! He fished all day and seemed okay - go figure?! Hang around a launch long enough and you will see some very funny things!! I have more stories but I'll stop there. Landry

Thanks guys. Very helpful! The 50 sounds like it will do okay. My wife thinks I am insane cause I have a 2003 with a 70 hp 4 stroke that runs perfect! I am just debating buying a new boat and whether or not that is smart or just extravagant seeing as mine is running well. I can't lose either way I guess. Landry