Need help please on Kokanee fishing boat

[Kokaneegal]

Trying to deside on new boat. Narrowed it down to Stryker, Alumaweld 18 ft. or a Hewes Sportsman 18 ft. We currently are using a 15 ft. Smokercraft. Any experiences with either or wisdom on either would be appreciated. Thanks, KokaneeGAL

 

[DLM]

The Hewes may have a little more deck space in the rear as I believe their cabin is set a little further forward than most boats. This gives you more room in the back, less bow space which is okay in my book, but a little rougher ride at higher speeds. Both would be fine boats in my opinion. I am sure there are owners of both that can give you further opinions.

 

[Kokonuts]

I have a 2004 18' Hewes & its been a great Kokanee fishing boat for me! It will fish 3-4 but for the Derbys 2 is best. I am using 2 Scotty Electric Dr's and I run 4 poles .
They only thing that I've been think about changing is taking out the 2 Bench seats for more room in the back and then installing 2 single seats to replace them. This would give me almost 2 extra feet for fishing area but loose some storage area. I do think the Hewes boats are finished a little better than the Alumawelds but cost a little more.

Dont forget the used boat market there are some good deals on slightly used boats!.

Kokonuts

 

[mrmike]

Well good luck on your new journey Kokanee Gal.First there is no such thing as the perfect boat.Second what kind of fishing are you doing and with a bigger boat it opens up bigger areas of water.Guide model completely open boat nice to fight fish out of/no canvas to act as a sail in wind/more space/ tracks better trolling. Then you have the walk thru windshield/ adds better protection in the elements/ windy days canvas acts like a sail/ but warmer in the elements. I once owned an 18 ft intruder by Aluminum weld it was A used boat/ walk thru windshield/ 90 horse Mer with 8 horse Mer kicker pd 12,000 had it for three yrs sold it for 12,500.The more I used it the more I like it.But the Intruder is a big step up from the Stryker.My fishing buddy has one (Stryker) he not that happy with it/ 50 Honda on it completely under powered. The Hewes craft are really nice and you see a lot of them on the water. Today I personnel own a 21 ft Motion Marine (they are custom made can't buy one in a show room have to have it made) guide model.but I fish so much and for different species it fits my needs. Just make sure you don't get it under powered. Oyea I got this thing for red Ha

 

[kokanee_slayer]

I have a 2012 Hews Sportsman 160 and absolutley love it. Yes, with the hull design and the cabin forward it's a bit rough in moderate to heavy chop but knew that going in. I wanted the extra deckspace and was willing to accept that trade off. I've owned mine for a little over a year and have operated it in both fresh and salt water. I have found it to be a very rugged, reliable rig. Mine is powered with a 70hp Yamaha and 9.9 kicker. The Hewes are a bit heavier that the Alumawelds so if you go that route, I would go with a minimum of a 90 or larger hp primary engine. Good move to go for an 18 footer; wish mine was a couple feet longer but wanted to store it under cover and was restricted on space. Good Luck!!!

 

[Kokaneegal]

Thanks guys. All of that information really helps us in our decision making.

 

[Bduck]

Thanks guys. All of that information really helps us in our decision making.

Whatever your decision is I would like to see a pic of your fully decked out dreamboat. thumbsup

 

[Kokaneegal]

Bduck - I hardly think it will be our dreamboat or fully decked out, but it will be what we can afford for now!!!!!

 

[Kokaneegal]

Okay everyone - Today we bought a new boat!!!!! I'm thinking it is our Christmas present to each other (for the next 10 years!!!!!)
We ended up getting the black 2013 Hewes Craft 180 Sportsman. Has a Honda 75 and a Yamaha 9.9 kicker.
Hope to see you on the water!!!!

 

[wrightwyoming]

You must make a choice also based on how you tow this new boat and the limits of what you are comforable with. I like to try different lakes and tow my 19 foot boat behind a 30 ft 5th wheel. Maybe not for everyone but if you decide to triple a boat do it behind a 5th wheel and not a bumper pull.

 

[Kokaneegal]

Wow, that is not legal in Oregon. We won't be trying that!!!! Thanks anyway.

 

[Lip Ripper]

You must make a choice also based on how you tow this new boat and the limits of what you are comforable with. I like to try different lakes and tow my 19 foot boat behind a 30 ft 5th wheel. Maybe not for everyone but if you decide to triple a boat do it behind a 5th wheel and not a bumper pull.

NOT IN OREGON

Towing
Oregon law allows you to tow a maximum of one boat, general utility
trailer, or other vehicle behind a passenger or recreational vehicle. You
cannot tow a second trailer or vehicle behind a travel trailer or fi fthwheel
trailer.

 

[hersheyk1]

Kokaneegal doesn't matter what kind of boat you get but I prefer mine it is a 20 ft Boulton just love it lots of room comes with 115 and 8 horse Yami works good in the salt and the lakes wouldn't trade it for anything. THEMAIN THING IS USE THAT THING AND GET IT FULL OF FISH BLOOD ENJOY IT. Thanks Hersh.

 

[sawtooth]

Congratulations on your new boat. You are going to love the extra 3 feet, and with the Hewes Sportsman's helm forward design it will fish more like a 19 footer. Great choice, I am sure you will love it. Lets see some pictures when you get a chance.

 

[Kokaneegal]

Thanks Sawtooth and Hershey. We won't get it for a couple of weeks. They are installing all of our goodies!!!!

 

[SuperD]

Thanks Sawtooth and Hershey. We won't get it for a couple of weeks. They are installing all of our goodies!!!!

Congratulations! Good luck with the goodie installation. My dealer did such a poor job that I stripped everything and redid it myself. Outfitting boats is now one of my favorite things to do for friends when they get new or new to them boats.

 

[mrmike]

Great choice like I said no such thing as the perfect boat one always wants a bigger one (does size matter) with the 75 you won't be under powered/after you put your bells and whistles the weight adds up. my sled is 21 ft I just like to fish three people it balances the boat just right and with all there bring along gear, I still never have enough room. To me you made a great choice. You know opened up the Columbia River and numerous other bays. I remember my first dent you will also. good luck. See you on the lake. Was setting in the house and my wife turned to me and say's do you know we have to wait 5 months to the high lakes open for use to go kokanee fishing in late April. Be very carefull how you mount your hard ware like down riggers etc. I use and had specially made brackets made Males and females so I can take my down riggers off completely, and when I won't to put them in my sled a just slide them into a female alumium bracket and away I go. I have nothing on my gunnals that will affex my landing nets when fishing for other spiecies except my Rod holders I use Folbes love them.

 

[mrmike]

Kokaneegal while your boats being put together your kicker 9.9 Yamaha I have the same motor you will be pleased with your choice comes with a 9 pitch prop it will troll to fast. I put the 8 horse Yamaha ( which they don't make any more) prop on with is 5 3/4 pitch you can troll under 1 mile hour . Yamaha just came out with a new slow troll prop pitch at 5 1/2 see if you can request that new prop on your kicker you will be glad you did. good luck

 

[kokanee_slayer]

Congrats on the boat!!!! You won't be disapointed. Like mrmike mentioned, I had to drop to a 5 3/4 prop on my 9.9 kicker as well to get my trolling speed down. Those factory props for High Thrust Yamahas are a bit spendy.

After installing the electric Scotty's, and wiring in the second battery, I took my rig out on the lake yesterday for a test run and everything checked out. By the time I installed the terminal block, the Perko Switch and the addition battery, the space in the transom area is pretty full.

 

[Kokaneegal]

Thanks guys for the great info about the kicker prop. Will definately check into that. Yea, we are having the second battery installed as well. You are right about no more room in the tramsom area. We are having the two bench taken out and getting two swivel capt. chairs instead. Also will probably use the live fish box for storage. Don't really like where it is, not very handy!!