06-15-2008, 08:19 PM
I have a 14' SmokerCraft Canadian aluminum boat. I am very satisfied and glad that I settled on it when I was looking for a boat. Only weighs 120 pounds empty and it is a v-hull, so a smaller motor does a good job of pushing it. It is a great sturdy design. It has welds and rivets. It is very reasonalbly priced too, compared to other brands and lenghts. It cost me $1100 after I traded in an older Jon. New, I think they run $1400. They come with a 10 year hull warranty. I built up a small trolling motor platform in front out of plywood and it takes up very little space; there is a nice place to fit your batteries too.
Don't know how much money you have to spare for a boat but if it is below $2 grand you should definitely consider this. Smokercraft has a few other great aluminum models but they run close to $3 grand.
On mine, I have a 9.8 HP motor, a Nissan Marine. The only problem with that manufacturer is that there are very few dealerships, especially in Utah. With very little fishing tackle and one 3 gallon tank and myself the faster I have ever gone is 24 mph at Lake Powell. For lakes like the Berry and the Gorge plan on 10-16 mph depending on how much weight you put on. If you want fast plan on a 20 HP motor. Like I said, the best thing I like about it is the lightweight. And it is still the size of a full 14' V, though not as deep in the back.
Oh, I forgot, I have a 40 LBS. thrust Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 bowmount on it. The dang thing can push that boat about 5 mph on full "throttle." You can't beat Minn Kota, that motor will keep you over anything, I tell you what. I hate the sound of gas outboards for trolling so I always use the electric. As far as I am concerned, the only thing gas outboards are good for is getting you somewhere and back. I don't every use them for trolling unless the batteries' voltage drops too low.
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Don't know how much money you have to spare for a boat but if it is below $2 grand you should definitely consider this. Smokercraft has a few other great aluminum models but they run close to $3 grand.
On mine, I have a 9.8 HP motor, a Nissan Marine. The only problem with that manufacturer is that there are very few dealerships, especially in Utah. With very little fishing tackle and one 3 gallon tank and myself the faster I have ever gone is 24 mph at Lake Powell. For lakes like the Berry and the Gorge plan on 10-16 mph depending on how much weight you put on. If you want fast plan on a 20 HP motor. Like I said, the best thing I like about it is the lightweight. And it is still the size of a full 14' V, though not as deep in the back.
Oh, I forgot, I have a 40 LBS. thrust Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 bowmount on it. The dang thing can push that boat about 5 mph on full "throttle." You can't beat Minn Kota, that motor will keep you over anything, I tell you what. I hate the sound of gas outboards for trolling so I always use the electric. As far as I am concerned, the only thing gas outboards are good for is getting you somewhere and back. I don't every use them for trolling unless the batteries' voltage drops too low.
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