Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

[Shadelady]

I live in Oregon on the coast- so there are rivers, creeks, lakes and bays for fishing / boating in. The boat that catches my eye is the Smoker Craft Alaskan. any advice or experience with this or similar type boat / outboards is very welcome.

 

[SNye45]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

I used to live in Vancouver WA, and would see a lot of Alaskans around the area. I myself had a 16ft Smokercraft Lodge. The Alaskan is a great little boat - light, takes minimum Hp to get up on plane. However, it is really only meant for 2 to 3 people, no more. Because it is small, it can be a bit tippy, just be careful. Being light can be easily towed behind a small v6 SUV/truck

 

[dave11]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

Smoker craft boats are well designed. I saw some at the Seattle Boat Show a few years ago. I really liked them. When I went to buy my new boat, I found they do not sell the same style on the East Coast as they do in the NW. I bought another boat from the NW. Try one, you will like it.

 

[dave11]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

BTW, I bought an Alumaweld boat which is made in Oregon. It is a very spartan boat. It is a heavier gauge aluminum that the Smoker Craft. The fit, finish, and function are superb.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

I owned a 13 foot Sylvan Alaskan Deluxe several years ago. Smokercraft is the same company and the exact same boat.

I would agree with the other poster as to only good for actually I say only 2 people. Problem with the small boats is their max HP ratings. The bottoms real estate (for lack of the correct term) are just too small for the larger motors hence the low max ratings.

They look really nice. Real high sides to keep out the waves (that's why I bought mine). But they are classified as utility boats. Basically, a rowboat that you can put an outboard on.

Mine was rated for a 25. The 15 footer is only 35 hp. If I went and bought the max O/B the rating, the max is like 600lbs for everything motor, gear etc Add a 3rd person and you are very close to the limit which is getting close to becoming dangerously unstable.

Worse yet is most are tillers (driver at the back) and the battery and gas tank are back there too. With the max O/B on there the water line is going to be only inches from the back of the transom. They are so basic they don't have that splash tray in the back to catch a wave that might wash over the transom and drain back out the hole, if a boat flys by behind you. They don't have bailing pumps installed.

I couldn't get rid of it fast enough after one season. Sure they sell fast. First guy that saw it grabbed it off Craigslist.

But there is a reason why they are so cheap, because most are just fancy rowboats. My advice is to not go less than a 16-17 footer if possible and buy a real aluminum boat that can be bought as a package boat, motor and trailer for 7-8k (Like an Alumacraft 145). Or buy a similar rig used for a few thousand less than you would pay for a new Alaskan.

Check out the max ratings on the Alaskan line below:

http://sylvanmarine.com/showroom/default.aspx?typeid=2&seriesid=53

 

[Bard1]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

I love my 14' 1964 starcraft because it's all mine. dry as a bone and with the help from this form I fixed my 1966 18hp fastwin like new. I'm going fishing on Tue. the 31st, It's been windy,so that day looks good, and my wife said I look twitchy....Luv dat woman!!!

 

[Tinman57]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

I'm in Oregon too, currently fishing a 21 foot Pacific City dory. But my last boat was a 15' Bayrunner with a 25 hp Evinrude tiller steer. I had it for 16 years and loved it. It was a welded hull with a very high bow, three thwart seats, and a transom for long-shaft motor. For its size, it was very seaworthy, and I had it on the ocean many times out of Tillamook and Depoe Bay.

If you'll be using it on the Columbia River or other big water, consider a Bayrunner. Bayrunner is a division of Valco.

The one major design flaw is its hard to see over the high bow.

 

[Shadelady]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

Guys, thanks for your replies. i found a small 12' aluminim Valco with trolling motor, battery, oars, and everything else for cheap ($600). so i figured i would start there. have had it out 3 times so far and i think it was a good decsion to go with the smaller less expensive while i learn. when i get proficiant i'll be on the look out for something bigger and faster; for now my hands are comfortably full.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

When you're ready to step up in size ( and you will), consider the Mirrocraft 1615 outfitter.
It resolves some of the noted ( capacity, size, depth, splashwell) deficiencies of the Alaskan as mentioned but still gives you a wide open, gets into anywhere fishing platform. Storage, appointments and aluminum thickness are upgraded too.

http://www.mirrocraft.com/boats/simplyfishing/outfitter.php

I'm running one with a 30hp and love it!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

I'm a solo fisherman, except for some times when I take a kid with me. I fish smaller lakes (less than 2000 acres), with a few trips out on the Mississippi from time to time.

My boat is a 12' aluminum Starcraft v-hull. from the 60s. 6hp outboard. 30lb. thrust electric trolling motor (only when on the river). I've set it up to be a very convenient fishing rig. Battery's up front, fuel tank's about in the middle, so it planes nicely and my fishing area between the front and middle seat is open and free of junk. No problem standing in the boat for casting.

I fish a couple days a week, and this boat will run in 12" of water, with the outboard in the shallow water drive position. I fish bass, walleye, northerns, and panfish from it.

It can be towed by anything with a hitch, is super easy to launch and retrieve, and fits my use perfectly. I have about $500 total in the whole outfit, not counting fishing tackle.

 

[Shadelady]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

OK so i admit i have an addiction to fishing... there! i saw a Smoker Craft Osprey the other day and fell in love- music played and the birds sang. for now the little Valco is working fine and i can almost remember that left is right and right is left... almost. if you see me on the water assume i have no idea what i am doing!!
thanks again for all your input, i will keep checking back here for wisdom and advice. and i agree with CATransplant's quote of it being paid for- makes loving my little boat real easy.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Love your fishing boat? Tell me why

Shadelady,

Your 12' Valco will be a great boat for many years until you decide to go bigger. I grew up on a 12' Valco and it was a great boat. Don't be afraid to customize it a bit and make it comfortable for your fishing needs. I had mine in lakes, rivers, and the Puget Sound. That boat matched with a 10hp motor is a great combo.

I've since changed up to a 16' Lund but miss the simplicity of the old Valco.

PM if you want some ideas or pics of my old boat modifications.