Need coaching on another boat selection

[Full_Monte]

Hi Guys,

I've recently arrived at the conclusion that my boat is almost too small for 2 people, and I'd sometimes like to fish with 3 or 4. I'm looking at older boats, thinking that there might be some jewels out there that could work with some rework. Currently, I'm looking at Star Craft and Smoker Craft, about 16 feet. I want to get away from those knee-knocking bench seats in my Gregor, and I want the wide gunwhales offered by these boats for downrigger mounting. Do you guys have any preference for one of these boats over the other? I don't know much about either except what I read. Thanks!

 

[twisted lines]

Polar bear had some pictures posted of his Welded Tracker guide deep v tiller; I am glad the pictures are gone, his boat gave me a warm fuzzy feeling, like I need one! worthy12

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Monte

I own a SmokerCraft 172 Millentia and, to be honest, three full figured adults are all that I want. Most all boat brochures show their craft with, what I'll call, smaller than average size people. Usually Mom, Dad and the two kids are what is pictured and it looks like there is a lot of room. You really need to go shopping and now is the perfect time and don't forget to take your three buddies. You'll see soon enough what I'm talking about.

I can't have any of the rear seats installed if I'm going to use the downriggers, they're just in the way. One more thing, don't try and pinch pennies and downsize the motor. Find the transom HP rating and max it out or you'll just end up regretting it especially if you travel to the higher elevation lakes.

Good Luck!

 

[jacksonlaker]

I have a Crestliner I/O that is 18' 6" and it is not that great with 4 guys. 3 is perfect, 4 a little crowded. Like SOTW said, I have to remove the rear seats to fish with the downriggers. It is welded and I really like the boat. It rides and runs great and would totaly recommend buying one. But always remember the rule with boats...You always wish yours was bigger and faster !! P.S. My boat has an 8' beam...very important.

 

[SilverBullets]

Monte
My 15' Smokercraft Alaskan may be a bit wider than your boat but it still would be very crowded with 3 or 4 people...2 is very comfortable. It had 4 seats (we removed the 2 side seats in the middle area of the boat and use the box's they were mounted on for storage.) I think with the weight of the equipment we carry if we took another person onboard we'd be well over the suggested weight limit of the boat.

 

[Koke-n-a-smile]

I have a 1999 Smoker Craft 172 Salmon (which means that I get to bring a salmon home every time I go fishingl laugh hyst) It is a riveted boat, that has 3 seats. You can seat 3 adults in there pretty well, 4 if one sits on a cooler. There isn't much room for fighting and landing fish though with that many guys on the boat. Last year, I had my two young sons (9 and 6) my Dad and myself a couple of times. I only had 3 poles in the water at a time, and when you get all three to go off at once, it is a bit of a fire drill! I really like the boat and would recommend one like it to anyone but if you are going to have 4 guys on the boat a lot though, I would look at something else. If you look at other boat designs, they move the windshield forward than the Smoker Craft, and that gives you a lot more space in the back. So, an 18 footer feels like 2 feet bigger inside than a 17 foot Smoker Craft. With 4 guys on the boat, that can make a huge difference. 2cents

 

[Bduck]

I have a 20' Bayliner ski/fish. With 2 people its comfortable. With 3 we get by but 4 you start feeling a little crowded, can still make do. I myself want to go larger someday. Captains seats help give more room rather than bench. I removed the rear cushion to give easier access to the downriggers. Besides who wants to sit next to the engine compartment. Outboards free up space inside the boat. I/O covers provide a place to work with tackle but do take up additional room. In the early spring or late winter here, a boat show comes to Salt Lake City. I think I remember going to one in Sacramento in the past. These are always a good place to dream at but if it was me, I wouldn't buy there. Someone always has what you want at a cheaper price. The more boat you get, the more upkeep there will be and that also depends too if you go from aluminum to fiberglass. Someday I might clean the blood off the back of mine. laugh hyst

 

[SuperD]

I concur with all the comments about boat size. My first boat was a 16' open bow and 2 people with gear had us always stumbling over each other. Adding length in the older boats only helps slightly in adding capacity for people. IMO, what has really made a big impact on boats is the recent designs of going wider and wider. The new boats 18' - 19' with 8' beam are super roomy. Everybody can tend to their downrigger at once instead of one at a time in the back of the boat.

 

[Full_Monte]

Hmmm....it looks like no matter what size boat one gets below aircraft carrier size, fishing 4 people is pretty tough.
I've learned a lot from you guys already on this one...thanks!
It has also expanded the width of my fishing net (!) to include some brands of boat that I hadn't thought of before. For example, Spectrum and Crestliner have been pointed out to me as good, welded boats. I've still not eliminated Starcraft and Smoker Craft because they are riveted. I haven't heard anyone say that welded boats leak.

 

[Kokonuts]

Monte, I've had my Hewes 18ft. for 3 years now, (7yrs old)and I love it ! Its great with 3 people but with 4 its crowded. I run 2 DR's.
I think youre right about never having enough boat no matter what you get! laugh hyst

Kokonuts

 

[SuperD]

FM, I think the Titanic was welded and it leaked.

 

[gonefishing]

I think more than 2 people in most boats, while fishing becomes a crowd, unless the 3rd is a full time captain leaving everyone else to fish and enjoy themselves.

Of course, 4 guys is like fishing with yourself and 1 gal. HA HA HA ! So what ever it takes to have fun and catch fish!

 

[Full_Monte]

FM, I think the Titanic was welded and it leaked.

Ha! The Titanic sunk because the ice berg tore off some of the rivets on the side plates, allowing water to come in. I won't be naming any boat I buy "Titanic".

 

[Full_Monte]

I think more than 2 people in most boats, while fishing becomes a crowd, unless the 3rd is a full time captain leaving everyone else to fish and enjoy themselves.

Of course, 4 guys is like fishing with yourself and 1 gal. HA HA HA ! So what ever it takes to have fun and catch fish!

Now wonder it's crowded...I'm fishing with my wife!

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Rewind the VCR SuperD. The Titantic was riveted! Watch the nude scene in the backseat of the car - that's when they scraped the iceberg and every single rivet sprung a leak.
laugh hyst

Monte - here are just a few more suggestions on boat brands; Fischer, Polar Craft and G3. Babe Winkleman floats a Polar Craft and I think they're made in Canada. I fell in love with a WeldCraft at last year's BOAT SHOW here in Salt Lake City.
tongue2

Happy Hunting!

 

[Full_Monte]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm finding that boats tend to be region-specific, with some of the best ones coming out of the North West. I hadn't heard of a couple of the brands you mentioned.

 

[Full_Monte]

OK...I drove a couple hours to look at a 16 ft. boat. The brand name of the boat will not be revealed because I don't want to insult anyone here or their boat. But I can tell you, I learned a lot. I got to use the boat on the water, which showed me that a 50hp 4-stroke was marginal on a boat designed for a 90hp max (on the CG tag). My 25hp Yamaha 2-stroke makes my 15 ft. Gregor take off like a jackrabbit by comparison. At full throttle, the engine ran at close to red line and felt sluggish. Next, there was a wood-burl photo-finish dashboard, carpeted interior side panels, and a lot of plastic components around the dash that made me think "how ticky-tacky". I don't want to host dinner parties on this boat: I want something that I can hose down to remove the fish guts.
Then there was the interior space, or lack of it. The engine was mounted on the stern instead of an offshore bracket, and the motor well took up room inside the boat. And the helm was mounted close to the center (fore and aft), which decreased the amount of room in the stern area, but created a large casting deck in the bow, which I found to be OK for storage below decks, but not too useful for down-rigger trolling. Bottom line is that I adjusted my thinking to a larger boat, and won't be looking at any more boats like that one. All things considered, I learned more than I thought I would, and felt good about the long drive home.

 

[AFDan52]

Monte, you also want to be careful of the age of the boats you are looking at. One thing I have learned over the years is if you buy an older boat you also inherate the old boat problems that come with it. I have a 1973 SeaRay 19 ft. with the Mercrsier outdrive , Good rig but the preveous owner left me with a ( boat load of problems ). All of the problems are fixable and just about finished with them all. Just some helpful information.

 

[Full_Monte]

One thing I have learned over the years is if you buy an older boat you also inherate the old boat problems that come with it.

Maybe I should put that quote up on my wall.thumbsup

 

[Neptune]

Get welded if you can...
...as wide as you can...
...as new as you can...
...with the biggest motor you can afford!

You want fishing room....compare Lund, Lowell, SmokerCraft, Crestliner, to Weldcraft, Duckworth, NorthRiver, AlumaWeld, or Hewes and the choice is clear.

Also if you ever fish big water or water that can get big in a hurry, the later group all have enclosed cockpits, not just a walk through windscreen with an opening beneath it...tends to keep your feet much dryer!

Good luck!