The Crestliner 1700 Fish Hawk is an affordable multi-species fishing boat that has all the basic fishy features in a reliable package.

Bow Features

The Crestliner 1700 Fish Hawk is an affordable way to get out on the water with all of the necessary fishy features without breaking the bank. Starting up front there is a sturdy casting deck from which to work the fish. The deck has carpeting and great grip. Crestliner even vinyl-coated the deck lids to make them easier to clean and to further dampen any noises.



This Hawk-eye view of the Fish Hawk 1700 speaks volumes about the storage in this 17’ (5.23 m) boat with a 96” 4/26 m) beam. Three seats come standard.

This multi-purpose rig comes complete with a 45 lb.-thrust Motor Guide trolling motor with wireless foot control pedal. If you prefer to sit while casting, one of the three standard pedestal chairs quickly installs in the powder-coated seat base in the center. Across the aft edge of the casting deck is an aerated, divided livewell with a separate lid over the bait bag. Larger gear and the trolling motor batteries fit in the centerline dry boxes forward of the livewell.

More Fishing Features

Stepping down into the 24” deep cockpit, you’ll find plenty of room for fishing. Safety grab handles for all the cockpit seat positions are mounted just below the tops of the wide gunwale. Running rod straps are mounted in the port side box lid to keep your favorite stick ready for action as you fish from one favorite spot to the next. This port side box is plenty large to store your fishing rods and have room for storing some of the larger gear.

Across the cockpit on the starboard side is another livewell that can be converted and used as a small cooler if you like.



The 1700 Fish Hawk is light and she scoots – just look at her stagnation line.

At the Helm

The operator will find he has an abundant amount of leg room with the raised dash style. A shelf below the dash has the fire extinguisher mounted on it to keep it handy. The driver’s cup holder is to the left of the three spoke wheel. Gauges are mounted high over the wheel with the standard Lowrance X50DS mounted on a flat to the right of wheel. Lighted rocker switches are grouped together with a 12-volt socket at your finger tips. Just below the switches is a handy slash pocket to hold your cell phone or wallet.

Stern Deck

The stern deck connects with the side decks to form a great step into the boat and a walk-around if you need to work from one side of the boat to the other. Stern dry lockers include the cranking battery location in the port locker with room for oil and other gear on the starboard side. One of the pedestal chairs can also be set up in the stern deck.

Specification

The Fish Hawk 1700 measures 17’2” (2.28 m) length overall and has a beam of 91” (2.33 m). She weighs 1050 lbs without the engine and can hold up to 6 people or 1450 lbs. (477.3 kgs.) of people and gear. This model has a 30 gallon (114 l) fuel tank and is rated for up to 75-hp for tiller models and 115-hp for console models. Her aluminum is .090 gauge for the bottom, .125 for the stern, and .080 for the sides.

Performance

She handled the severe chop and traffic easily and handling was sure both underway and in close quarters at the dock. I found she was on plane in 2.8 seconds and up to 30 mph in 6.3 seconds. She cruised best around 29.7 mph for a range of 146 miles on a full tank. I found she reached a top speed of 42.1 mph turning 5400 rpm, even in the rough chop.

If you liked the Fish Hawk 1750, but have a small budget, you will find it hard to beat the Fish Hawk 1700 for features, performance and price.

• Top speed for the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 (2007-) is 42.1 mph (67.8 kph), burning 11.2 gallons per hour (gph) or 42.39 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 (2007-) is 29.7 mph (47.8 kph), and the boat gets 5.40 miles per gallon (mpg) or 2.3 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 146 miles (234.96 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 90-hp Mercury 2-stroke.