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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Allen" data-source="post: 172221" data-attributes="member: 389">Yeah, I don't know that any of us would be able to give you advice that you don't already know.  The problem as I see it is that you've set your sights pretty high.  Ipilot, newer electronics, bigger glass boat (equals bigger motor), all of this adds up quickly.  Part of the problem you are running into is that the Crestliner you have is an OK light boat, best for small lakes and rivers.  Add a foot and a half length and go to a beefier model and you'd be amazed with the difference.I have a 2004 Lund Fisherman that's 17.5 ft long with a 115 Yamaha that has been a GREAT ride for the past 11 years.  I paid $20k for it when it was just a couple years old and I still see the same setup (with a lot fewer hours) for in the mid to upper teens.  When it comes to boats and pretty much any other recreational thing, I strongly encourage people to buy newer so they aren't constantly working on it.  That just sucks the life right out of things.  In that sense, the older Yamaha (late 1990s to early 2000s) are fantastic boat engines, look for one of them on a hull that fits your needs.  The Fisherman series, or Pro-Sport models of Lunds from the 90s to early 2000s paired with a Yammie are going to give you a fine platform to fish out of that can tolerate some wave action.  Note, I am not an expert on the glass boats from that generation as to how they are faring with age.  On the Lunds, just check the transom and look underneath to make sure it wasn't owned by someone fishing the local river.  I think the key here is you simply want a boat that is at least 1.5 ft longer, over a foot wider, and about 450 lbs heavier. I had a Smokercraft similar in setup and size to your Crestliner and these three attributes made a world of difference on the water in overall enjoyment.</blockquote>

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