Alumacraft classic 165 cs

[spinningreel]

Anyone ever fish out of this boat or one similar of another brand?

Pretty much just a basic side console, rivited construction, V hull boat. Wondering about stability, fishability from front deck like pitching, flip, etc. does the lower deck height hinder or is it something the angler can adjust to? I’ve always used mod v aluminum. They are pretty common with 50 hp motors. I’d really prefer a Honda.

This particular model has caught my eye, basic, rugged & priced right.

[Tim Kelly]

I've fished out of a 165 magnum, which is pretty much the same, though it was a tiller. I liked it. Handles rough water pretty well, feels solid, runs around 32 with two people. The deck height is definitely something you can adapt to. Solid, well built boats.

[HenryPF]

Had the 165 magnum for 10 years before I sold it, solid boat no issues. Only whacked the side flipping out a few times - you adjust for it real fast. Being a single console you are going to do what all the other guys in bass boats do anyhow, move to the passenger seat and land your bigger fish there anyhow. I got my with a 90 etec (when they first came out) and the thing was fast enough at 37 with the 5 batteries, 2 charges, trolling and misc. 50hp seems kinda low for that boat, but if you don't need speed, that will be plenty. fit and finish wise the boat was solid and had no issues and had a ton of storage, especially for longer fish like walleye.

For multispecies it was a great boat.

[Bassin08]

I had a 2012 165 Classic with a 60 Yamaha tiller steer. It was a really nice boat to fish from. I don’t think you will be happy with a 50 on that boat. It will really be a dog to get up on plane. As far as build quality and versatility of fishing, you should really like it. With the SS I would go with at least a 75 hp Evinrude.

I had to go smaller due to my age, so I have the Escape 145 with a 30 hp ETec. They are a great motor and made right here in Wisconsin.

[exx1976]

I have a 2018 classic 165 cs with a yami 70. We fish bass, musky, and panfish. Love the boat. Fully loaded with two just Encase boxes, three group 31 AGMs, and two adults, I get 30mph on a flat lake.

The magnums are NOT the same boat - different dimensions, and rated for a 90. The classic is only rated for a 75.

A buddy just bought a 2020 classic 165 cs with a Honda 60 last week. With two helix 9s and an 80# terrova, he gave $24k all in. The only thing that has changed between his hull and mine, as far as I can tell, are the graphics on the outside of it. No idea how fast it is, he hasn't gotten past break-in yet.