Crestliner’s AP-X Hull is one of the most innovative hull designs in the aluminum boat industry. With two channels parallel to the keel, the AP-X hull delivers clean water to the prop for ultra-quick hole shots and unprecedented top-end handling. And at slow speeds, the AP-X Hull provides precision tracking so you can stay on top of the fish.
Jason is a guide on Devil’s Lake in North Dakota and host of Jason Mitchell Outdoors on Fox Sports North and Midwest. He’s a walleye expert, credited with developing several products and techniques over his long career. He runs a Crestliner 1850 Pro Tiller, and has extensive experience with the AP-X Hull. We posed five questions to Jason:
1. How does the AP-X Hull perform compared to fiberglass hulls you’ve experienced?
The gap in performance between fiberglass and aluminum is getting much smaller. Most glass boats have a pad that gives the boat a sweet spot with speed and trim for the best performance. The top aluminum hulls—like Crestliner’s AP-X—seem to have a wider range in which they get good performance regarding speed and trim.
2. What’s the one standout performance feature of the AP-X Hull?
With the AP-X, you get precise turning and solid control at a wide range of speeds. This minimizes sliding, chine walking, and other undesirable movement that can hinder performance in less advanced hulls.
3. What differentiates the AP-X from other aluminum boat hulls?
It gives you top performance at the widest range of speeds—and when you push the boat, you remain in control. Many so-called “advanced” aluminum hulls have a notch or offset in the transom to improve performance, but the AP-X Hull has two channels parallel to the keel to move aerated water away from the prop twice as efficiently. You get clean water into the prop, which translates directly to better acceleration and control at all speeds.
4. How does the AP-X Hull benefit anglers specifically?
Better boat handling at all speeds, even slower ones. Trolling requires precision tracking, and this hull delivers. There’s a definite benefit in how the boat tracks when drifting, too, because the bow doesn’t swing as much at low speeds.
5. How does the AP-X Hull perform with higher-horsepower engines?
Power transfer from the transom to the hull is more efficient due to the interlocking, all-welded construction. The improved handling is most evident at higher speeds. Overall, you get better performance with high horsepower, so don’t be afraid to buy with the max recommended power.
The AP-X Hull is available on some of Crestliner’s most popular models, The Super Hawks, Fish Hawk, and Sportfish.