Please excuse this lengthy post. I have several questions that I need answered concerning a possible future new boat. Presently I have a 2012 Crestliner Retriever 1546 Jon Boat. It has a flat floor, casting deck, and rod /gun box. No live well, but that’s not really an issue. Powered by a 25 Mercury, electric start and power trim / tilt. The hull weighs only about 300 pounds, so it’s easy to get on and off the trailer (bunk type) and while moving around the garage. There is no wood in this boat, all aluminum, including the floor and transom. The boat is a tiller model, no center console. A nice rig.

Of course I’m always looking for something better, and as I am 69 years old, I should not wait too long to look. I’ve sort of have my eyes on the following, all in the fourteen foot version. All of the boats are 2017s and all tiller models. They are the Mirrocraft Outfitter, the Alumacraft Escape, and the Lund Fury. All would be equipped with their maximum rated motors, which I believe are between 25-40 depending on the brand.

I have a few general questions about these types of boats, deep V’s, in general. First, are they easy to enter and exit from the dock? Do they pitch and rock much? Remember, I am 69. My current boat is very flat on the bottom and very stable to enter and exit. Second, when I am in it alone, and casting from the front casting deck will that be stable or will it pitch and roll more than my flatter bowed jon boat? Third, these hulls weigh between 450-600 pounds depending on the brand. My current boat weighs about 300 pounds. Will I notice that difference cranking it up onto the trailer? I do have to crank, I’m no longer spry enough to drive it up the trailer and exit over the bow of the boat. Will I notice a difference moving it around the garage by hand? Of course I will have a tongue jack, like I do now.

Of the three mentioned about, does anyone have any specific comments about them? I know Lund makes a good boat, but their live well doesn’t have a gasket on it, and I’ve heard that they can leak water out of the top when riding the waves. It looks like the Mirrocraft may have the same problem.  On the other hand the Alumacraft live well does have a gasket around the opening and is supposed to keep the water in it. The Alumacraft Escape has the widest beam, 76 inches vs 70 inches for the other two. The Mirrocraft is made here in Wisconsin. It did seem a bit bare bones or cheap, or maybe that’s just how the vinyl made it look. They do offer the best seat arrangement. As an option I can have a casting deck with the pedestal base put on the rear of the boat, something the other two don’t offer. I also notice that these boats all have staggered seats, one seat is on the left side of the boat, and the other seat is on the right side of the boat. How do you feel about fishing from so near the gunnel and not in the center of the boat?

So help me out here. I’m in no rush to buy a new boat, but still…… Give me your thoughts and opinions. Better still, does anyone in Southeastern Wisconsin own one and care to take me for a test ride? I’d buy you lunch or give you a few bucks for your time. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’ll wait for your comments.

 

Welcome and good luck in your search.  I am a big glass boat guy so I'm little help on the tin rigs.  I will say by moving up in hull weight you will have a more stable platform.  Others will be able to give you more specific model information.  

I don't own the Escape 145 but I do own an Escape 165 console steering. I can tell you about my boat. It's got a Yamaha 20 hp ( I live in PA horsepower restrictions). It's got an 8 ft rod box. It's really stable, my wife and I run around in it with our 4 year old and it doesn't rock at all. Wind is an issue it can be a pia trying to fish on windy days but I manage. Overall I feel like Alumacraft makes a great boat and I would recommend them in a heart beat. I know you were looking at the 145 instead of 165, maybe you can take a test drive from the dealer.

Thank you for the information. Is it stable getting in and out or does it rock? If you are alone and on the front casting deck is it stable or rock a lot?

Stable, but not like a Jon it does rock a little but nothing to outrageous. I fish alone most of the time I take it out. The front casting deck is great standing or sitting. I prefer to stand when throwing crankbaits, frogs and similar lures. I like to sit when wacky worming or fishing for white perch.

Unfortunately it appears I'm a few years late in this discussion. I still would love to attempt to help. I currently have a 69 Lund 14 that weighs 165 pounds and is very easy to land and maneuver. I like the weight also as it anchors easily in the swift current of the Minnesota river. That's why I have kept it. I am looking to get an alumacraft 1546 for the flat floor and slight increase in weight to 275. I recently looked at the Lund fury 14 and while it looked great it was 575 pounds. No way I could move it around my shop decent and I highly doubt landing it in current in the river would be easy. I'm really wondering if you did in fact go with the lund fury or the alumacraft 146 how has it worked out? I really like what you had to say on the 1546 and it seems exactly what I need here on the river and easy landing by myself. I was scared of the new fury's weight so wanted to chime in even years late. Thank you!

First welcome aboard Brandon. I would start a new post as things have changed and there maybe some who have bought what your interested in. You’ll get a lot more views and answers. Good luck

2 hours ago, Brandon Zempel said:

Unfortunately it appears I'm a few years late in this discussion. I still would love to attempt to help. I currently have a 69 Lund 14 that weighs 165 pounds and is very easy to land and maneuver. I like the weight also as it anchors easily in the swift current of the Minnesota river. That's why I have kept it. I am looking to get an alumacraft 1546 for the flat floor and slight increase in weight to 275. I recently looked at the Lund fury 14 and while it looked great it was 575 pounds. No way I could move it around my shop decent and I highly doubt landing it in current in the river would be easy. I'm really wondering if you did in fact go with the lund fury or the alumacraft 146 how has it worked out? I really like what you had to say on the 1546 and it seems exactly what I need here on the river and easy landing by myself. I was scared of the new fury's weight so wanted to chime in even years late. Thank you!

 

I move around a 700lb 14' fiberglass boat/motor/trailer pretty easy in my garage. I can actually pick up the tongue and carry it around.