OK Crappie Peeps, I am about to purchase a Crappie boat. Looking at the War Eagle Predator with a 150 Merc. Anyone have any experience with the War Eagle Brand or this particular boat. Thanks for the comments.
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OK Crappie Peeps, I am about to purchase a Crappie boat. Looking at the War Eagle Predator with a 150 Merc. Anyone have any experience with the War Eagle Brand or this particular boat. Thanks for the comments.
War Eagle builds a good boat. The Predator is a good boat but for my style of fishing I would like the 1860 or a 2072 better.
I have a 17' stick steer WE with a 50. Had it about 3 yrs. and have had no problems with it. If I were to get another one today, I might would go with a 961 or a 2072 with a center console.
I run an 860 and a buddy of mine has a 961, I'd rather ride in his but fish out of mine. They'er tough boats.
Cajun Tater, I did not look at a War Eagle. I looked at a Lowe Stinger 175 with a 75 HP, a G3 that was the same set-up as the Lowe, and then I saw the Crestliner TC 18 with a 90 HP Four-stroke and fell in love. The Crestliner is a 2014 model and had a discount and a rebate. It is a Pro Edition which included a lot of upgrades and extras that the Lowe and G3 did not have, plus it is almost a foot longer and about 4 inches wider at 18' 3" long and 92" at the beam. The other 2 boats were 17' 6" and had 75 HP motors instead of a 90 HP. The Lowe was just a couple of hundred cheaper than the Crestliner and the G3 was $3000.00 more than the Crestliner. Plus the Crestliner is all aluminum; no wood anywhere. The G3 has wood floors. On top of all of that the dealer is going to give me a depth finder for the trolling motor and install it. All in all I believe I am getting a great deal. I can hardly wait. I'm like a kid at Christmas. LOL.
I really like the Crestliner also.....was looking for a used rig and found a very nice rigged out Crestliner with a bimimi top for $7000.....it sold before I could check out the brand name.....I think you will be really happy with the choice.....somebody out there watching over you.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Pastor
I have the predator but I thought the max engine size for it is 115.. Next boat will be a center console but nothing wrong with the one I have now.
My dad has a new stick steer WE with a 30 HP Honda on it. He loves it.
welcome cajun tater,
the predator is a fine boat, but like paw paw said it depends on the style fishing you do....cant go wrong with a war eagle they are fine boats. might give the used market a look....there are so many great rigs available if you take time to look....save some money and some even come with great upgrades (trolling motor, Graph, rod holders..etc).
My advice is this: There are so many great boats out there, its hard to go wrong. Where the downfall is, where they skimp by is on the items such as trolling motors, graphs, etc. Odds are if you buy new you will upgrade and want to change the options your new rig has at the time of purchase. Either upgrade right off the bat or plan to spend more down the road. Watch these trolling motors...many of these rigs come with 12 volt systems and an all day on the water trip will have you wishing it was 24 volt. In addittion is most likely will be the minimum size motor they can get by putting on there which make the previous statement even worse and this takes tolls on your batteries that are under strain and always run down. Get reay to squinch your eyes at the tiny graph, but they work well in most case. My point is pay close attention to the accessories, quality of the seats, small things like the electronics systems, breakers, etc. these are likely the items that will have you fussing later down the road and giving you the head aches. Ive had lots of boats, there is never a perfect one but the little things I have mentioned are all from experience. Trolling motor upgrades, new graphs, extras you always plan to add later...sometimes never happen with that boat payment due each month. Get it like you want it from the start and you will be steps ahead!
Good Luck on your search and watch for details....dont let the shiney new boat blurr your attention to the small things.
Not trying to knock any brand name
I purchased a Hanko 18x5x1/8, and what they do is; you go there and they layout the floor plan with you, you tell them how much front and back deck you want and where you want the steering and how you want the storage.
I did not want rod boxes because they won't hold full length jig poles, and I didn't want live wells, these are some things I could not opt out of with the brand name boats. I have the spray liner which I can wash with a water hose or pressure washer.
I must say I did not look at war eagle, I understand that you can special order with them.
And I must say that their prices are very comparable this is the link to their site 18 x 5 x 1/8 mine is the 4th one down with the 90 mercury 4 stroke and the gray interior
All boats mentioned are really nice boats. I just bought an xpress center console with the hyperlift hull and a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke. 20 ft boat rated for a 150. Rides really nice, but everybody has a different opinion on what they like, just my .02 cents, may be worth a look for ya.
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I have a war eagle 961 black hawk with a center console and a 115 mercury on the back . I have had 4 boats in 35 years , one was a beautiful fiberglass bass boat. For my style of fishing , this war eagle is my favorite. I know you will love yours too. Go get em and have fun.