Question:
I am looking at buying a new alum. fishing boat in the 17' - 18' range.
I have owned a Fiberglass boat the last few years (Ranger) and have been
fairly happy with it, but I'm starting to fish the rocky Northern Minn.
lakes more often, and want a boat that can take a little more abuse when
'beached' along the rocky shore. I also need a boat with a wrap-a-round
windshield and canvas top, as my wife and kids insist that the next boat
we get will provide some protection for them in adverse weather....(Hey,
no problem, if it gets me a new boat....)
I've looked at several brands (Alumacraft, Lund, etc..) mostly for
preferred fishing options (Live wells front and back, seat mount
locations, storage capacity, etc...), and from that point of view, have
set my sight on the "Smoker Craft" brand.
Now what I'd like to ask you more knowledgeable people are:
1) Is anyone familiar with this brand?
2) Does anyone have an idea how they compare $$ wise with comparable
brands?
3) Does this Manufacturer have a good / ave / bad reputation for the
quality of their boats? (Do they hold up well?)
4) Would those who are familiar with Alum. fishing boat in this category
for this area of the country) strongly recommend another manufacturer?
Why?
Answer:
-I have owned a smokercraft, 14 1/2'. It was a very good boat that I used
in my area, however for the area you are talking about you should consider a
Lund Tiee. As the Smokercraft is a good boat the lund is much better and will
hold up much longer. The rivits in a lund are placed much differant than the
Smoker. For the long hall the Lund is the way to go.
-Checkout BajaNet, http://www.geocities.com/the tropics/4888/
Post your question to their general discussion area. Many folks in that
discussion group routinely trailer aluminum boats over a thousand miles
to launch in uncertain condition. Also, see if your library has a copy
of Gene Kira's, The Baja Catch. Third edition was recently released.
Excellent advise on the 'best' aluminum boats can be found there.
