Fishing Specialist

Tested By Keith Burton

Amateur and professional fishermen alike should have nothing but praise for the Crestliner 192 Tournament Series. Available in both a single and dual console configuration, the 192 is a richly-featured boat that matches the right size and performance needed by the most demanding angler.

Our tester was an optional dual console model, and we can tell you that we were genuinely impressed with the performance of this boat over rough water. Sleekly styled, this all-aluminum boat conceals its tough metal structure with all welded construction and extruded aluminum gunnels that makes it look at first as if it was hand laid fiberglass, but a lot smoother.

The paint finish is baked-on and is made with a special formula for aluminum that will not peel, crack or wear off even under heavy use.

Crestliner is so confident of their hulls that they offer a lifetime warranty on the welds of the hull and a full three year warranty for everything else.

With a reverse chine hull, the 192 cuts through the water with a high degree of stability and a smooth ride, very important for getting out in rougher water and cutting through wakes without punishment for anglers with a whole day of fishing ahead of them.

The fun starts with the high number of premium standard features that set the 192 apart from many other boats.

At the bow, you will find convenient netted storage pockets under the port and starboard gunnels for quick access to fishing gear along with two large deck-level dry storage lockers with built in lighting.

The 192 comes standard from the factory pre-wired for a trolling motor. A center locker opens to reveal storage with tubes for your fishing rods and a hatch for easy access to the trolling motor batteries.

Also at the bow is a convenient aerated baitwell with a pull-out bucket. Next to the baitwell is a neat recessed tray built into the deck to provide a place for fishing gear in use. The tray is a good example of the type of detail anglers would like that are found all over the 192.

Every fisherman wants a boat with plenty of walk-around room and the 192 delivers here as well with plenty of space throughout to move around. Seating is also first rate with Crestliner’s special Concept DX chairs. These seats were designed specifically for anglers for comfort, and durability. Their surfaces were engineered to channel water away from the seats, and the pedestal system is strong and easy to use. The 192 feature six base locations.

New for Crestliner this year for all their boats is the use of square-headed stainless steel screws rather than traditional Phillips head screws. This is really a significant improvement in construction as the square-headed screws can be installed with greater precision and force, and are much less likely to back out. They also make it unlikely of the heads being stripped if screw replacements are needed.

Amidships, the 192 features a tinted windshield at the helm. Our boat was equipped with the optional port console that features a large storage compartment and windshield to match the one on the helm console. We noted that both the port and helm consoles provide plenty of foot and legroom.

The helm is outfitted with attractive and easy to read white on black gauges. Rocker switches control the electrics backed up with circuit breakers so there are no fuses to be replaced. Standard also is a remote control for managing the 192’s very large livewell at the stern.

Speaking of the livewell, its 37 gallons huge with a recirculating system, oxygenator and bait bag. It also has its own light for night fishing. The stern livewell also features an insulated cover and is conveniently located next to the stern fishing seat.

Over the water, the 192 is a very forgiving boat to drive. It is easy to manage, even at high speeds. We saw 52.1 mph with a 200 hp Mercury Optimax. The boat cuts quickly and precisely in turns and runs smoothly in rough conditions without pounding, which is something any angler can appreciate.

The 192’s large built-in fuel tank, at 54 gallons, means terrific range for those big lakes where getting back to the dock is something you don’t want to do. At a 3,500 rpm cruise we estimated a 235 mile range at 33.5 mph.

Crestliner is clearly proud of the 192. The company sweated the details in features, performance and fit-and-finish. We liked the padded surfaces along the interior and the extra piping around the edges. Such things add both to the appearance of the 192 and sense of real value. You don’t need that type of detail to fish, but it sure is nice none-the-less.

Overall, the Crestliner 192 is an outstanding fishing boat with rugged construction, good handling, room and a lot of the stuff that make a good fishing boat a great one.

• Top speed for the Crestliner Tournament Series 192 SC (Not in Production) is 52.1 mph (83.8 kph), burning 19.1 gallons per hour (gph) or 72.29 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Crestliner Tournament Series 192 SC (Not in Production) is 20.9 mph (33.6 kph), and the boat gets 6.06 miles per gallon (mpg) or 2.58 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 294 miles (473.15 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 200-hp Mercury Optimax.