Which Boat, advice??

[Canon71]

14’ Sea King or Alumacraft

i have a 14’ Montgomery Wards Sea King and a late 50s stripped down Flying D Alumacraft. The Sea King is very light compared to The Alumacraft and few inches thinner and less deep. I have a Johnson 15hp twin to put on either. Both have trailers. Originally i thought of putting on the heavier boat but now thinking the Sea King. The Flying d, although used to have front cover, steering etc, the weight limit is 795 and rated for 35hp motor. The Sea King has no info on weight or motor. Any suggestions between these two boats using with this motor?

 

[Canon71]

Hello, 2nd post here as 1st had no takers. I sold my "nice" boat a few years ago and just wanted a basic aluminum fishing boat. I have a '90 15HP Johnson and two 14' boats to mount it on. I have a '59 Alumacraft Flying D that was stripped down to fishing boat prior to me, and I have a '71ish Montgomery Wards Sea King boat. The Flying D is MUCH heavier, the Sea King is very light and thin. I have not had either on the water yet, just wondering which to mount the motor on. My first thought was the flying D for stability as its a little deeper and wider, but the sea king is set up for fishing and in a little better shape. Thoughts?

 

[jbcurt00]

W/out remote steering, the Alumacraft diesnt have a 35hp capacity, for a tiller its likely a 15hp capacity.

Drop the motor on 1 and run it.

Then swap it to the other and run it

Maybe run them both multiple times w varying weather and loads

Keep the 1 that suits you & your usage the best...

 

[Canon71]

Thank You, that is what I plan to do, just want to know experience with these boats. The flying d, since stripped down, is hard to find info on and the sea king, just not a lot of specifics. The sea king is so light, but not sure that represents quality vs the alumacraft.

 

[emoney]

I agree with the “run ‘em both” advice; the only way to know which is best for you is to try both of them. Checking ride and handling, how easy it is to maneuver/fish from. Whichever wins those battles, that’s the boat. Then, sell the other and use those funds to dress up the keeper.

 

[Canon71]

Here are the 2 boats, first impression if I want to fish the Croix, the Alumacraft shouldn't have any problem but will the Sea King be bold enough?

 

[Canon71]

The Alumacraft boat is not exactly set up for fishing, the seats are different but can modify if needed.

 

[Canon71]

Flying D help!

Hello, I used to have a Classic Deluxe with 40hp and sold it. I picked up 2 14' boats, a stripped down '59 Flying D and a Montgomery Wards Sea King. The D is much heavier, bit wider and deeper than the Sea King. I have a '90 15hp Johnson to put on one of these. The Sea King is all set up for fishing, the D was modified by the PO but needs a little TLC and a plug to get out on the water. The Sea King is "easier" but something tells me the D is a nice boat? Will 15hp be enough for the D, says reated for 35hp with the origianl configuration. I fish small lakes and the Croix/Mississippi. Advice and info would be awesome!

 

[jbcurt00]

The Alumacraft boat is not exactly set up for fishing, the seats are different but can modify if needed.

Please dont start multiple topics about the same subject

All 3 have been merged here

Question asked a different way is still essentially the same question.

Having been modified, as I mentioned earlier, the Alumacraft is no longer rated for a 35, as an open utility tiller, a 15 is probably about right

The Flying D was a nice boat, hacked its a fairly generic utility

 

[Canon71]

Thanks, it was intended to maybe get "alumacraft" die hards that know that boat specifically. I've read a lot on the forum and many topics are 10-12 years old. I appreciate your advice and opinion, it's just good to know all I can (info and experience trying) when deciding which to license.

 

[jbcurt00]

I 'know' 2 Alumacraft well informed members, to say 1 is an infrequent poster doesnt even come close, the other is a fairly frequent flyer:

DeepCMark58A

Might swing by

 

[DeepCMark58A]

That flying D will handle the 35 hp no problem the transom on those boats are second to none. I saw this post earlier but did not comment. Makes me sad to see the bow cover taken off an old alumacraft.

 

[Canon71]

Thanks, I appreciate your comment, I actually picked the boat up from a co-worker, got the flying D with trailer for $100. I got the Sea King with trailer as part of the deal selling my Classic Deluxe. The PO with the D, his son stripped down the boat I think and none of it was left. I understand this part and that's part of the equation if I should sell the D to someone with the parts to build back up. Regardless, it seems the D is a much "stronger" hull than the Sea King, but I don't know much about either.