2014 season in progress with new boat and blood on the deck.

[KokeRook]

Have not posted for a while:
Reason for this is I was busy rigging my new boat tooexcited .
She's not near as nice as many of the boats that folks on the forum have, but she's a HUGE upgrade for my wife and I.

We Traded in our 2000 Lund wc14 for the same amount we paid for it. It was a good boat that started us into the Kokanee and boat fishing world. However, it lacked the stability we wanted so we could stand side by side when working the riggers, netting, etc.
We got a good deal on a new 2014 Smoker Craft Pro Lodge 160.
She is 16'6" long and has an 82" beam. Very wide, stable, and open for a boat of this size.

Also included:
Yamaha F40leha
Down rigger mounts
In floor fuel tank
26 gal live well (fish box)
External fuel/water separator
etc.

Rather than screwing the rear seat into the floor with the attached pole, I mounted the seat to a stainless base and swivel so I could move it anywhere...including out of the way.
*2 Scotty 1085 "strong arm" manual down riggers (just could not swing the Money new electrics would have cost)
*Lowrance Elite 7 HDI (moved from my previous boat as it was new last season).
*Minkota Endura Max 50lb thrust troller (plan on adding gas kicker when funds allow)
*Several other small touches.

Took my time and put a lot of thought into placement and set up. So far we are very happy.

Still breaking in the motor: being very careful to follow Yamaha's exact break in procedure.

This boat will also be used for coho fishing in the late summer in Puget sound, crabbing, etc.

When trying to think of a name I threw one out as kind of a silly suggestion and my wife said ..."THAT'S IT".
I'm not sure how much I like the name...but if the wife is happy...I'm happy 101ok101
So I introduce to you ....."SLAY RIDE" thumbsup

I'm sure many on the board know that it is a very good year on American Lake here in Western WA.
First outing in the new boat (6th outing for the year) did not disappoint. 9 for 9 ( 2 16", 5 15"+, 2 14"+)....





American Anticipation!


FIRST BLOOD in "Slay Ride" thumbsup


Not the best picture...but you get the idea. 101ok101

 

[dragonfly]

nice set up koke, I had that same model a few years ago as my second boat, for when I was by my self. don't worry about how your boat compares to some one else. catching fish and having fun is way more important. besides I have seen guys with high end boats that come home empty handed. having a floating seat by the tiller is the way to go. but on long days I wished mine was reclining. I would say good luck but it looks like you don't need it. dfly

 

[chukardave1]

Those are great looking fish, nice and fat. Boat looks nice too. Lots more blood forthcoming for that one for sure. Really like the name also

 

[KokeRook]

Thanks DFly and Chukardave.

and yes..the Kokes in my home lake are GREAT quality this year....getting spoiled for sure this year.

 

[Mharri333]

Very nice set up! Clean. Obviously it is working...

Slay ride. I like it.

 

[DLM]

Looks great, years of enjoyment right there.

 

[onlychild]

Nice boat congratulation I also like the name

 

[KokeRook]

Thanks all...the name is starting to grow on me.

Any recommendations for a Kicker Motor size? she's 16' 6" and weighs around 1600lb (975lb dry) or so when we are in it and loaded for fishing.

I was thinking 4 or 6 hp. 8 I think would cause me to troll too fast....of course need to be able to troll as slow as .75mph. Most of the time I'm between 1 and 1.5 when koke fishing.

Anybody have some experience with a boat like this and kickers?
Thanks

 

[SuperD]

Regarding kickers, I'm not an expert but I'll caution you to check one thing. High thrust kickers are different than a regular kicker of the same horse power and trolls slower. A 6 HP kicker designed to power a boat could potentially troll as fast or faster than a high trust 8. So, look into the fine details before choosing.

 

[jekern1015]

I have a 16'6" Tracker with a single console and I have a 9.9 merc.. That motor will only allow me to troll at 1.3 or greater, unless the wind is in my face. Trolling that slow I have problems steering the boat so I have an electric mounted on the bow that I use to steer with. Also if I need to go slower I use the electric and I have two batteries set up just for that.

 

[dragonfly]

the eng. horse power has nothing to do with the speed. it is the prop RPM and the prop pitch minis slip. an eng with say a 12 pitch prop with no slip will go forward 12'' in 1 prop RPM no mater if it is 1 hp or 100 hp here's a simulator if you want to see various RPM, pitch, slip, gear ratio, etc. http://www.csgnetwork.com/marinepropcalc.html so if you want to go slower you need a motor with a low gear ratio like the Yamaha hi-thrust with the 2.93-1 and a 5 pitch prop. that combo will be as slow as you can go. now about slip, the lighter the boat the less slip it will have over a boat like mine so you could actually travel the 5'' for 1 prop revolution so you would be faster than me at the same prop RPM as far as engines I would look at a 2cylinder. for smoothness and quiet, and a lo gear ratio. with the flattest prop which is a 5 pitch if you want slow. dfly

 

[DLM]

My high thrust 9.9 would not get me below 2mph at idle with the factory prop, and that's a 3400lbs boat. Changed props now down to 1.2 with no problem

 

[Metal Manipulator]

I am with DFly on this. I too have the Yam 9.9 high thrust and 5 deg. Pitch. That gets me to 1 or slightly less.

 

[KokeRook]

the eng. horse power has nothing to do with the speed. it is the prop RPM and the prop pitch minis slip. an eng with say a 12 pitch prop with no slip will go forward 12'' in 1 prop RPM no mater if it is 1 hp or 100 hp here's a simulator if you want to see various RPM, pitch slip, gear ratio etc. http://www.csgnetwork.com/marinepropcalc.html so if you want to go slower you need a motor with a low gear ratio like the Yamaha hi-thrust with the 2.93-1 and a 5 pitch prop. that combo will be as slow as you can go. now about slip, the lighter the boat the less slip it will have over a boat like mine so you could actually travel the 5'' for 1 prop revolution so you would be faster than me at the same prop RPM as far as engines I would look at a 2cyl. for smoothness and quiet, and a lo gear ratio. with the flattest prop which is a 5 pitch if you want slow. dfly

Wow...really opened my eyes up here Dfly. Low Gear and flat prop makes a lot of sense....why is it I can never seem to find sales people with this much knowledge of products....the last one I spoke with was just..."smaller engine...troll slower".

Just to confirm...when you say 2cyl...you are meaning two cylinder correct? Or do you mean 2 cycle (I would assume it would be louder).

Obviously I am still in a steep learning curve here.

Thanks for all the input guys.
Much appreciated thumbsup

 

[Bogey]

Great looking set up you've got - CONGRATS!

 

[KokeRook]

Thank you Bogey.

It's turning out to be quite a "fishy" boat so far. Hoping it continues.

 

[dragonfly]

Koke, yes I was referring to a 2 cylinder vs a 1 cylinder. dfly

 

[KokeRook]

That's what I figured. I had others tell me the exact same thing. Thanks again Dfly.

your input is always appreciated.

 

[silverbullet]

Very comfy ride to fish out of. Lots of room, even for a very large fellow such as myself. thumbsup