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Posts: 23
| Looking to purchhase an aluminum boat for Ontario, St. lawrence river, Champlain and the Finger lakes. Looking at Smokercraft Millentia 192 and Starweld 2000 Pro. Anyone have experience with either boat, good or bad? |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | Go with a Lund or alumacraft. Better quality better resale. |
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Posts: 23
| Thanks. Looking at them too. |
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Posts: 558
| Alumacraft trophy. They have alot of nice options. |
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Posts: 556
| Ever look at that TRACKER 19ft TARGA. WOW. Nice Rig and way less expensive than the LUND or ALUMACRAFT. I am buying a new boat for next season and have been looking for the last month. wasn't even considering the Tracker until I just happen to be a bass pro and looked at it. My first choice was a LUND ( and I may still go that way ) But WOW--very nice boats and the price was a huge savings---Someone mentioned re-sale?? I guess if you turn your boats over every 3-5 yrs maybe you should consider that---my boat is 15 yrs old so RE-SALE for me means nothing. I am going to get my use out of whatever I buy before I trade or sell it--and I think the re-sale on a 15-18yr old boat would be very minor for me anyway. Just a thought to consider if you have a bass pro around you. THAT LUND FISHERMAN is also Very,Very NICE !!!!! |
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Posts: 73
| I'm on my second Tracker....fish St Clair about twice a week. Water doesn't get much bigger than that! Don't listen to all the Tracker haters.....no splits, cracks, broken welds, or transom problems, even with a kicker on. Great floor and deck layouts, no need to build deck ext. either. Don't overpay for a name.....I love all the other boats too, but if you like it, get it! |
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Posts: 23
| Thanks. I've been looking at many differents makers. I realize that everyone has a favorite brand, but I really haven't heard anything really bad about any of them that didn't seem to be biased towards (or against) a particular brand. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | buy what will work for you I stepped up to a glass boat and love it. make a list off what you want then find the boat that dose what you want. |
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Posts: 23
| Thanks. Point taken. |
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Posts: 51
Location: chisago city,mn. | If you are looking for big water boat I would by a glass boat not aluminum.
Way better ride,If money is no object.Also are you looking windsheild or dual
console.How long are you keeping boat,resale value?Tiller,console lots to think
about.Hard to beat a Ranger great ride,good resale takes a beating jusy my
two cents.Good luck with your investment. |
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Posts: 117
Location: Northern Illinois | Love my big Lund Pro V... Crank  |
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Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | If your talking big water you're surely expecting big wind and big waves. With that in mind I feel a full walk thru wind shield and canvass top set are essential. At least for the long sloppy rides in/out. Top can come down once you're on the spot or left up. |
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| Alumacraft or early 2000s Lunds....Period. |
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Posts: 32911
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | That's seven periods.
There are MANY well built big water boats out there. Take a look at Lund for sure. |
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| Well, I was out on Rainy Lake a week ago and the vast majority of boats out there were deep V aluminum boats, full wind shields, canvas. Crestliners, Lunds, Alumacraft seemed to be the most popular. Same mix in the marina where residents boats were docked. There were also a few Hewe's boats. Big, heavy gauge aluminum boats. Very few glass boats |
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Posts: 28
| I would say go with a ranger, if you are looking for a big water boat then that's what you want! |
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Posts: 23
| Thanks all for your input. Gives me more to think about. Probably wait to Spring anyway. |
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Posts: 358
| I too will be in the market for a big water boat soon. Smokercraft bought out Sylvan I believe, I liked the Sylvan. I like the Lund for sure but price is a lot, kind of leaning toward Polarkraft. Great topic ! |
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Posts: 3503
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Couple of things to consider for big water boats... Look at bottom hull designs and how the bow curves upward. They all have variances in design which leads to different aspects for ride quality. When you look at the brands listed above, that bow design plays a big role in how the boat will perform in a good blow when you have to go into or with the wave action. Base hull design can big a big factor as well for ride, as a steeper deadrise will be smoother, but ride lower in the water. Modified V will ride higher, but have a little more bounce in the boat as the force of the boat hitting the water will be more upward rather than deflected to the side more. Boats that have a reverse in the hull at the outside edge (lund and crestliner have this and it is very pronounced) will help the boat ride higher, and it should drift around a little less than others can.
Overall depth of the boat plays a big role as well, but has its setbacks when it comes to fishability for muskies. High sides on the boat can be good for big water, but they also act as a big wind catcher while moving along.
Lots to think about...
I personally run Alumacraft because they had the design that fits my style of fishing well, its well built and can handle pretty much anything I throw at it for conditions. It has set-backs as well, such as no dry storage and other little niceties that I'd like to have.
If you can, I would try to take a ride in them to see what you think.
Steve |
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