Crestliner 17'

The ease of the transformation from family boat to fishing machine is surprising, but what's more surprising is that Crestliner adopted these bow and stern conversions back in 1986 - yet nothing like it has filtered down to our shores in the years since.

In family mode there are seats for driver and passenger, a rear lounge for two and the bow section with seating for two more. There are also two pedestal seats, which can be positioned on the casting platforms.

In fishing mode there are the two cockpit pedestals and two casting platform perches, which can be moved around the boat to the desired location, with provision on each casting deck for two seats.

The boat is driven from a seated position behind the Taylor Made Systems tempered glass windscreen, which wraps around in a continuous curve for clear vision forward and to the sides. A Jensen waterproof sound system sits to the right of the metal spoked steering wheel. Analogue Faria gauges are tucked in a neat arrangement beneath a shading brow and give readouts for speed, revs, volts, trim and fuel. On the dash is a Lowrance HDS-7 colour-sounder / plotter.

The passenger gets a deep glovebox atop the dash and a large slide-out drawer built into the bulkhead. Each sidedeck has a small storage shelf and drinkholders; in fact, there seems to be storage in every conceivable space. Between the driver and passenger is more lockable rod storage with tubes for rods up to 6ft6in, while to port you'll find a five-rod rack. To keep livebait right at hand there are 80lt aerated wells at each end of the boat.