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Posts: 86
Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Im looking at buying my first boat this spring and I'm probably going to end up buying a 14 foot aluminum boat with a nice outboard and trolling motor. I have never really fished out of these boats and am wondering if they are pretty stable? I know i will be doing my own modifications on the boat like a front casting deck. What im most concerned about is if it will be stable enough for me to stand semi comfortably and fish in calm to moderate waves. For those who have fished out of these boats can you tell me if these are stable enough with the right modificatons for me to stand and fish in calm to moderate waves? i really appreciate the help, thank you |
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Posts: 416
Location: Madtown, WI | I did the exact same thing last season for my first boat. I totally gutted an old aluminum 14 footer and built a front and rear casting platform. It definitely can stand up to moderate waves but I would avoid the windy side with anything more than 15+mph winds, which is a shame since I outfitted it with a 55lb thrust trolling motor which can withstand any wind on that light of a boat. I don't think you need to worry about stability, just check a forecast before heading out and if it calls for 15-20+ winds simply plan accordingly.
As crazy as it sounds, I love this boat. It's perfect for fishing by yourself but I will admit, it's pretty cramped with 2 people.
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Posts: 434
Location: searchin for 50 | Depends on how wide your boat is and also the modifications you do to it.Take some pictures and post them so we can see what you have.  |
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Posts: 390
Location: Ohio | I started with a older 14' Deep V as well, and now fish out of a new 14' Deep V. 
But as StDevos said, it's perfect for one person. When I have another person, we still cast, just take turns and it works fine. We share a box and its tight but it works for us. I fish by myself most of the time and fish a lot of smaller, shallow waters, as well as a couple small rivers. So this is the best setup for me. If you will have more than yourself in the boat, go bigger! I built a deck for my old one, storage, etc. and was perfect for me. Last year I bought a (new to me) boat and just sold my old one. Mine wasn't as nice as St's, but I will post some pics if I can find any. Good Luck |
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Posts: 86
Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Thanks for all the info, when i purchase the boat i will for sure take pictures of it and of the modifications, stdevos i like how ur deck looks on your boat, do you think you could send me the plans u used for that boat? |
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Posts: 416
Location: Madtown, WI | Thanks for the kind words guys, I had a blast building it and I think I enjoy fishing even more using a boat that I cobbled together myself. Unfortunately I don't have any plans. Most of the brackets that the platforms sit on already existed so it was just a matter of making the measurements and cutting the wood. There were also couple of floats that are hidden underneath the platforms as well. This boat was very shallow so I wasn't able to make any compartments other than the one in the front that can only fit the battery. One thing I did that in hindsight was a better idea than I thought, I left about a 1 ft gap between the back platform and the transom so I didn't need to make compartments for the gas tank. This also gives a lot of extra storage room for life jackets and stuff and yet it leaves the platform large enough for a guy to cast comfortably.
Good luck on your boat and have fun with it, I'm excited for ya! |
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Posts: 86
Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | I bet you had a blast building it, i cant wait till i can start working on mine (once i purchase a boat). Thanks for the tips too, i will definitly take them into consideration. i will post pictures up when i start to build it to get your opinion on it. Thanks again and good luck this upcoming season! hook em hard, hold on, and get em in the net!!! |
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Posts: 147
Location: Milwaukee, WI | In 1987, I bought a 1965 Alumacraft, 14 foot, 3-bench, modified-V hull with a 15hp Johnson outboard. The boat & motor were in good condition & no leaks.
Fished in that rig for 10 years. Always stood & casted, 2-guys. Took it on big water like Green Bay, when the winds were light. And many trips to smaller lakes.
In '97, I put in a flat wood floor and a raised casting deck from the front bench up to the bow. Put a single, 12V battery box under the front deck for a bow-mount trolling motor. Fished it like that for another 4 years without any issues.
Took it up to Georgian Bay for week and fished there. Caught & released my 1st 3-foot pike on that trip. Stood on the front deck & casted with no problems. Drove SLOWLY across some fairly big waves with it. I remember it was like going "uphill" on the front side and "downhill" on the back side.
As you would expect, it listed alot if you leaned over the side. But even while releasing fish, it still has some freeboard margin, so as long as I was CAREFUL, I never took on water in it.
I sold that boat in '01 and it was still going strong & no leaks when I sold it. It was a great starter rig & I learned alot about boating & seamanship while I owned it.
If you're CAREFUL & THINK, a 14 footer CAN be used on big water.
In some situations, you have an advantage with a small boat. It goes over flooded brush and sand bars or shallow areas that other boats cannot. Once, I ran across a beaver dam that spanned a creek connecting 2 lakes in Vilas Co. No way I could even attempt running in that creek with my current boat. |
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Posts: 73
Location: Indiana | I got my 14 foot Sea Nymph about five years ago or so. It was originally set up as a crappie rig. Low carpeted floor with pedestal boxes front and rear and a livewell in the center. My brother and I built lift in/lift out casting decks. The boat is intact underneath...same condition as I got it. Two people can lift in lift out the decks. Built them with heavy wood...framed them underneath with 2x10's in the back and 2x12's in the front. Set them up in a way to provide support, and dropped a piece of 1/2 inch plywood on top. They sit over top of the pedestal boxes, so we cut holes so we can mount the seats through the raised deck to the existing pedestals. We carpeted them, and then just dropped them in. They weigh enough and they fit snug enough that they'll never come out. And believe it or not, the additional weight in the boat actually makes it MORE stable. I'm taking her out in Indiana waters mind you, so I've never encountered too rough of stuff. But I have been out in 30 mph winds casting. Never had an issue. It's basically a 14 foot casting platform.
I'll try to post some pics....see if it works. |
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Posts: 73
Location: Indiana | alright...here goes.
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Rear Deck.jpg (179KB - 1190 downloads)
Front Deck.jpg (185KB - 12318 downloads)
Front to Back.jpg (186KB - 11400 downloads)
Boat.jpg (53KB - 575 downloads)
My Boat.jpg (34KB - 1018 downloads)
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Posts: 646
Location: In a shack in the woods | i have a 95 14 foot alumacraft with a 94 suzuki electric start and a 36lb minnkota bow mount. i have been in some pretty big waves and it has gotten scary a couple of times but mine is pretty wide. i have the 3 bench seats. i stand on the back seat with trolling motor pedal back there and whoever i am with gets the front. its not that bad. i plan on always keeping this boat for little rivers and shallow lakes. it has been a great little boat. |
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Posts: 86
Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Halfpint - 4/2/2009 8:19 PM
alright...here goes.
thats a really nice boat, thanks for all the info too, good luck this season bro! |
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