Throughout history, nations worldwide have had a mystic connection to Hawks, Falcons, Eagles and other majestic birds of prey. They are the apex predators of the airborne world that have been wrapped in legend since time began. The ancient Egyptians considered them “royal” birds. Horus, their God of the sun, war and protection was said to have the sun in one eye and the moon in the other. He was always depicted with a hawk or a falcon's head on a human torso. In Greek mythology, the Hawk was the messenger of Apollo, the god of light and the sun, truth and prophecy. Hawks also symbolise power to Native Americans, who worship them as protectors of enemies and prophetic birds with healing powers. Like eagles, Hawks are symbols of courage and strength, but to some tribes, they are the bringers of messages and warnings of change. These same ancient nations had a common respect for their natural world.

There are times in our lives that live with us forever. I recently experienced a somewhat mystical moment when launching the American-born Crestliner 1650 Super Hawk. We had one of Victoria’s treasures to ourselves. Lake Fyans is a small impoundment at the foot of the beautiful mist-covered Grampians, an iconic Western District mountain range that erupts from flat, broad acre surrounds. It was a slightly sultry summer morning, and looking out over the still waters, the dead trees stood like ancient incarnations with long, creeping fingers reaching out above and below the mirrored surface like silent sirens eager to capture unwary boaters.

Overhead, the shrill squawk of a hunting raptor sent shivers through the thick air, leaving the deafening chatter of a million cockatoos at bay. The majestic creature was intrigued by our presence, circling in and out of eyeshot before coming to rest in one of the nearby ghostly timber tops. The beautiful feathered predator seemed perfectly evolved for its environment, just as our waterborne Super Hawk seemed aptly named as a natural evolution of sports fishing machines.

The Super Hawk 1650 features drink holders, pro seats, a lockable glove box, rod holders, trim gauges and smooth lines

Crestliner Chameleon

The Crestliner 1650 is a real chameleon! One minute, it's a highly refined fishing machine; the next, it's a fun sports bowrider. The 115hp Mercury four-stroke is an excellent match, whether you're slow-trolling or ripping around with the family. It's a silky smooth and silent stalker one minute, and then instantly transforms to a thrilling powerhouse for some social water sports. As a family runabout, the 1650 Super Hawk is hard to beat. It's priced just right, and the towing weight is very manageable for most family vehicles at a BMT combination dry of only 1250kg. Launching and retrieving is a breeze with the Dunbier Centreline trailer, even in tricky conditions. This package is a great all-rounder that's perfect for fishing, water sports, or just cruising around. 

There’s no ruffling its feathers either. The hard two-pack enamel plumage with deep ebony sides, silver metallic bottom and topsides, combined with tasteful offset decals and signage is enough to attract any would-be suitor! The little splash of red from the dealer, Avante Marine, gives the presentation a very classy appeal. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the paint; for some reason, it just seems hardier than many competitors. I was worried that pulling it up on the sandy shore numerous times may have worn the stem - I needn’t have been concerned; it was still perfect.

The American Crestliner 1650 Super Hawk was imported and distributed by Berowra Waters Wholesale

High Walk-thru Windscreen

I must admit that when I first saw the high windscreens common to most Crestliner runabouts, I thought them a little ugly. However, it’s funny how time changes your taste and attitude, and I now find them rather attractive in a more modern approach. They are unquestionably strong and practical with their brushed alloy frame and lightly tinted safety glass walkthrough windscreen providing excellent protection from the elements, especially for those long, high-speed sojourns on our larger cold climate bays, lakes and estuaries.

Crestliner have come up with a very clever design that we tested in bad weather on the trip to Lake Fyans

The internal layout is simply superb and very workable. From a fisho’s perspective, I really enjoyed the function, whether trolling, casting or drowning bait. The design is full of features, including live bait tanks, rod storage, comfortable and adaptive seating and tonnes of storage compartments. All platforms are carpeted, and the deck has a hard-wearing synthetic nonskid surface. The hinged rear lounge is so simple, yet so good. It allows comfortable seating for three adults in its upright position; two with fold-up backrests. When it’s time to fish, it folds easily to create an extended rear casting platform. Brilliant! It worked well for us as we slow-trolled our Tassie Devils looking for one of the lake's spotted inhabitants, and even better as a functional casting platform producing a lovely little rainbow trout for my friend Trevor on his first cast of a red-headed, black-bodied “Vibe” lure.

The Crestliner is an excellent boat from port to starboard, and bow to stern

Trevor was on the bow and I was working the cockpit as we drifted through the timber and reeds. The bowrider has a small anchor well, an item missing from many American bowriders and a necessity, in my opinion. The bow area is super versatile - the floor folds over to create a massive casting platform, and there are three huge storage hatches underneath. Plus, you've got detachable cushions that team up with the upholstered backrests to make it a comfy spot to relax. It's an excellent setup for fishing or just enjoying the ride. It’s neat, it's tidy, it's comfortable, it's functional, and it's practical for everyone!

The functional helm completing an impressive fit-out

The helm and passenger seats are quite comfortable and enclosed from the elements. The well-rounded dashboard has a tilt-adjustable sports steering wheel, a high-mounted set of engine gauges, a waterproof switch panel, and a standard engine control box. The passenger has a grab handle and a large glove box; the only issue is very little room for a large sounder/GPS. I reckon I could dash mount a unit the size of a Lowrance Elite 5 or similar without too many troubles, but that would be about it.

 The cockpit has a quite deep freeboard, and the casting platforms are high and uncluttered, appealing greatly to the fly fishers who fell in love with the Crestliner on our return to shore. There are plenty of side pockets, underfloor storage, and even more compartments at the stern, where a small engine well reveals uncluttered plumbing and Bay Star hydraulic steering.

We Even Tested The Boarding Ladder - The Hard Way! 

I laughed like hell at my poor mate Trev, who ended up in the drink after a maneuver to tie up to a tree went wrong! I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t help myself sometimes. I must admit, I did power in quite quickly and hit reverse in a swift motion as we were contending with a strong wind. The bright side is that no one was hurt (other than a few egos), and we found out that the rear platform and swing-down ladder work really well – how embarrassing!

Crestliner utilised an innovative construction process - that works well!

So, How Does It Go? 

So how does it go, you ask? Flippin unbelievable! We have said it before of Crestliner’s; the combination of wide beam and shallow Vee should result in a hard ride. Wrong again! Everything I have ever learnt about boats is thrown out the window as the ride is superb. We said at last year’s Australia’s Greatest Trailer Boats Competition that 2013 was the year that aluminium boats outrode many fiberglass competitors, and it seems that in 2014 the Crestliner 1650 Super Hawk continues a great pedigree. It is smooth and quiet, turns beautifully and predictably, planes quickly, and loves choppy conditions. I can only describe driving it as a warming experience. I don’t need to say more. 

There are obviously some smarter people than I am designing and building this wonderful craft in the good ole USA, but then again, I guess they have learnt a bit with over 65 years of experience in boat building. They start with time-honoured methods such as a full-length keel strip and continuous seam welds throughout. The hull design is pretty clever, with an integrated tongue and groove system combined with the underfloor matrix, which gives it massive strength and flexibility. It allows them to fit out the interior without needing a ton of bulkheads and creates a complex Variable Degree Deadrise that delivers a ridiculously smooth ride. With the full foam lining and double-welded transom, it's seriously impressive - I mean, I've never experienced a quiet ride in an aluminium runabout of this size. In fact, it beats the hell out of many fibreglass boats too! (Now that is a big statement – and I mean it!)

Crestliner has some serious credibility! They picked up four American Consumer Satisfaction Index Awards in four consecutive years and have a top-notch warranty to back it up. A limited lifetime warranty plus three years of bow-to-stern coverage is pretty impressive, and its transferability adds to the package. They've got to be confident in their product to offer that kind of coverage. 

We finally managed to catch a trout, and dodge the rain.

Exceptionally Satisfying

So it’s well built, quiet, well laid out, and rides well — in two words, it’s exceptionally satisfying.

The 115HP Mercury four-stroke got the two big heifers, Trev and I, up and going effortlessly to a zesty top speed of approx. 75km @ 6400RPM. She just popped up onto the plane and wanted to keep going. In fact, if you weren't going to carry a load of passengers expecting some thrilling water sports, I expect an engine as low as 70-90hp may do well for just a couple of simple sweetwater fishos.

By the time I went to do the overall speed/performance results, the wind had risen dramatically, so accurate overall figures aren’t available. (We should have worked before we played – not vice versa. Sorry boss!)

We trolled Tassie Devils, small bibbed lures and blades at low speeds, and the only negative was that the high-sided shallow Vee hull, combined with the bimini to cop a bit of windage, keeping you on your toes whilst steering through the trees. Personally, I would get rid of the bimini altogether; however, I certainly see the need for the shade in the heat of summer sun.

Get her up and running, and the 115HP Merc purrs effortlessly, and we rounded her into some very tight turns to mimic water skiing in a tight river. She held on very well with no sign of cavitation, reminiscent of that hawk cruising the thermals. Avante’s Senior Sales Advisor, Michael Galouzis, and I took her for a test run before the Lake Fyans adventure to test the setup, engine height, etc., and couldn’t fault it. Personally, I would package with the 115HP every time unless the price was a restraining factor – it’s terrific.

One of the American country finest, the Crestliner 1650 Super Hawk

The Wrap

I have been wrapped with every Crestliner I've driven, and this one's no different. It's a top-notch, all-around performer that will appeal to anyone who loves being on the water. If you're on the fence, take one for a spin - it'll sell itself. This Super Hawk's got the goods, and it's worth experiencing firsthand.

 

On The Plane

  • Just love the ride

  • Internal function

  • Convertible rear seat/platform

  • Flip up bow walkthrough/seats

  • Paint

  • Power selection

  • Storage

Dragging The Chain

  • It cops a little windage.

  • No room for a large multi-function unit

 

At A Glance

  • Type: Runabout/bowrider/Sports fishing convertible

  • Ride: Excellent

  • Fun Factor: High

  • Overall Comfort: Good

  • Tow Vehicle: Family 6-cylinder

  • Economy: Excellent

  • Value for Money: Very Good

 

Specifications

General

  • Type:  Aluminium Runabout/bowrider

  • Material: Aluminium

  • Length:  5.15 metres

  • Beam:  2.2 metres

  • Weight BMT: approx. 1250 kg

  • Deadrise: 12°

 

Capacities

  • People:  6    

  • Rec. HP: 90HP       

  • Max. HP: 115HP    

  • Fuel: 76 litres

 

Standard Equipment

  • Vinyl cockpit flooring

  • Rear fold-down seats

  • Live bait tank

  • Anchor well

  • Hydraulic steering

  • Carpeted platforms

  • Seat located

  • Bow seating cushions.

Accessories Fitted

  • Bimini/Targa canopy

  • Spare tyre and rim

 

Engine

Make/model: Mercury 115HP 4-stroke

Type: In-line 4, 16-valve, dual overhead cam (DOHC)

Weight: 181 kg       

Displacement: 1732   cc

Gear ratio: 2.33:1

Propeller: 19” Alloy

 

Trailer

Make/model: Dunbier Centre Line series  

Brakes: Mechanical override                        

G.V.M: 1450kgs                                            

Manufactured by Crestliner - Little Falls, Minnesota, and supplied by Avante Marine - Boronia, VIC.

Ready to Set Sail? 

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This article was written and images supplied by John "Bear" Willis and previously appeared at TradeaBoat.com.au, now powered by Only Boats.


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