10-15-2009, 03:26 PM
Once again, thanks for your time. Great response.
Once again, point by point
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I still gotta PM that guy with the 20’ Tiller…
Come to think of it, whenever reading the spec’s of a boat that have tiller and console config’s, the tiller model always has less of a max horsepower rating than the console version.
Why is that?
Good point. Smaller motor = more work to get to same cruising speed as big motor.
You are preaching to the choir, brutha. That is exactly how I run my current motor. I am just not a run and gun type of guy. If I’m fully loaded for a 7 nite camping trip, running at 4600 r’s (21 mph) on a 5,500 WOT, I get 6 miles per gallon. Bullfrog to Escalante last week was 5.5 gallons. That’s insane.
16’ glass is smoother than 20’ lumie. That’s hard info to ignore.
Try this on your hull. Guys on the auto detailing board swear by it. I haven’t tried it yet, but I totally think it’s going to give me a slicker/quicker ride.
[url "http://www.rejex.com/"][#800080]http://www.rejex.com/[/#800080][/url]
OK, there’s the money quote of your post! This is huge news! When a seasoned captain like you says that would be your boat if not for the Alaskan, I'm listening pretty hard.
When I read that yesterday, you really set me off and running. I had first discovered the panga about 6 months ago when I started kicking around the idea of a new boat.
Of all the different type of glass boats out there, this might be the style for me. It’s light, sips gas, and is solid and safe in rough water.
I’m not crazy about the 78” beam (less storage!), so I’m gonna need for them to add storage boxes, but it’s a real good start.
The nagging problem I have with glass is that it might not be best for my style. I am a Lake Powell camper. This boat will see a lotta time on rock and in brush. And that’s what great about lumie utility open-deck boats. My Smokercraft is great. I’ve got 22 nites beach camping in it this year at Powell, and it is just so practical. And in a lot of ways I’m loathe to trade up. Since I’m always alone, weight is an issue, (beaching, unbeaching, moving the boat around from outside the boat).And a longer boat means a bigger wind profile. And since I will quit bass fishin before the next guy rather than fight the wind with my trolling motor, I’ve got some concerns about that, too.
But these problems might just need to make me a better boat-handling captain, that’s all.
You and I think alike. I’m a less is more type of guy. I just don’t need that. Plus, I’ll take the panga hull design over deep-v anyday. Plus the Warrior weight. I want a boat that’s light enuff to beach launch. That’s the panga!
When I wrote my brothers yesterday to see if they want to wet-test with me, I added that I hope it’s bad water. It actually would be a tough break to have calm water. I need to see what this thing will do!
Looks like you, the captains and me are thinking the same thing. There is no boat that will fit all applications. Especially if the boat will see salt and fresh water use.
Yup. And that’s why I love my Smokercraft. Completely practical and utilitarian. My priorities will be mainly Lake Powell extended-camping, and that lends itself to open-deck alumie. But my next boat will see saltwater fishing, and that lends itself to glass.
I think the Super-skiff is a perfect compromise, and hell, I’ll just slap some keelguard on the hull. Lake Powell rocks be damned.
Thx for all your tips on this, Jim. Your tiller concerns about engine strain might just change my mind about a side console (maybe). And your panga testimonial is big.
My next Gorge trip will be April ’10. If I see you near Lucerne/Anvil, and you’re not with customers (ha!), I’ll tool over. I wanna check out an Alaskan 20’, ya know?
[#bf0000]tg[/#bf0000]
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Once again, point by point
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Quote:The tiller is just too hard on the driver, in my opinion.
I still gotta PM that guy with the 20’ Tiller…
Quote:It also limits the horsepower
Come to think of it, whenever reading the spec’s of a boat that have tiller and console config’s, the tiller model always has less of a max horsepower rating than the console version.
Why is that?
Quote:It also puts undue stress on the outboard because you have to run it too hard.
Good point. Smaller motor = more work to get to same cruising speed as big motor.
Quote:I rarely ever need to run my outboard near full-throttle. It will turn 5500 rpm. 4500 is my cruising speed. That DOUBLES the gas mileage, and is much easier on the motor in the long run.
You are preaching to the choir, brutha. That is exactly how I run my current motor. I am just not a run and gun type of guy. If I’m fully loaded for a 7 nite camping trip, running at 4600 r’s (21 mph) on a 5,500 WOT, I get 6 miles per gallon. Bullfrog to Escalante last week was 5.5 gallons. That’s insane.
Quote:I also have a center-console fiberglass boat at present. Even at only 16-feet, it rides much smoother than the Lund.
16’ glass is smoother than 20’ lumie. That’s hard info to ignore.
Quote:I think it's because the hull is just smoother.
Try this on your hull. Guys on the auto detailing board swear by it. I haven’t tried it yet, but I totally think it’s going to give me a slicker/quicker ride.
[url "http://www.rejex.com/"][#800080]http://www.rejex.com/[/#800080][/url]
Quote:As for the Panga, YES!!! If I couldn't have my Alaskan, that would be the next boat. If I ever move to Florida, that's what I'll probably get. They are great! I've never owned one, but I've ridden on a few. They're dry, smoother than aluminum, roomy, efficient, and pretty durable.
OK, there’s the money quote of your post! This is huge news! When a seasoned captain like you says that would be your boat if not for the Alaskan, I'm listening pretty hard.
When I read that yesterday, you really set me off and running. I had first discovered the panga about 6 months ago when I started kicking around the idea of a new boat.
Of all the different type of glass boats out there, this might be the style for me. It’s light, sips gas, and is solid and safe in rough water.
I’m not crazy about the 78” beam (less storage!), so I’m gonna need for them to add storage boxes, but it’s a real good start.
The nagging problem I have with glass is that it might not be best for my style. I am a Lake Powell camper. This boat will see a lotta time on rock and in brush. And that’s what great about lumie utility open-deck boats. My Smokercraft is great. I’ve got 22 nites beach camping in it this year at Powell, and it is just so practical. And in a lot of ways I’m loathe to trade up. Since I’m always alone, weight is an issue, (beaching, unbeaching, moving the boat around from outside the boat).And a longer boat means a bigger wind profile. And since I will quit bass fishin before the next guy rather than fight the wind with my trolling motor, I’ve got some concerns about that, too.
But these problems might just need to make me a better boat-handling captain, that’s all.
Quote:I had a customer who owned one of those Warriors too. I fished in it a few times, and it was a very nice boat. A little too much boat for my needs, but I'd take it!
You and I think alike. I’m a less is more type of guy. I just don’t need that. Plus, I’ll take the panga hull design over deep-v anyday. Plus the Warrior weight. I want a boat that’s light enuff to beach launch. That’s the panga!
Quote:You've got the right idea. Wet test first!!! Be sure to have some friends with you so you get a real test with the boat loaded. Most any boat will ride nice on a smooth day with two people on board. Add one or two more, some batteries, a full tank of gas, some whitecaps, and some "goodies," and its a whole other craft.
Load it up and get out in some chop!
When I wrote my brothers yesterday to see if they want to wet-test with me, I added that I hope it’s bad water. It actually would be a tough break to have calm water. I need to see what this thing will do!
Quote:I've come to the conclusion that there's no "perfect" boat for multiple situations. The good captains in Florida have several boats.
Looks like you, the captains and me are thinking the same thing. There is no boat that will fit all applications. Especially if the boat will see salt and fresh water use.
Quote:You just have to decide what your priorities are. For me, with the Alaskan, its all about durability and ease of use, and the kicker is its ability to get us off the lake when the gale comes up. I don't have to wax it (Hell, I never even wash it!), its easy to launch and load by myself, it takes a beating, its wide open for fishing (I've removed the lounge seats and 2/3 of the windshield), and has a vinyl-covered wood floor. No carpet to clean, no fiberglass to mark (and then need cleaning.)
Yup. And that’s why I love my Smokercraft. Completely practical and utilitarian. My priorities will be mainly Lake Powell extended-camping, and that lends itself to open-deck alumie. But my next boat will see saltwater fishing, and that lends itself to glass.
I think the Super-skiff is a perfect compromise, and hell, I’ll just slap some keelguard on the hull. Lake Powell rocks be damned.
Thx for all your tips on this, Jim. Your tiller concerns about engine strain might just change my mind about a side console (maybe). And your panga testimonial is big.
My next Gorge trip will be April ’10. If I see you near Lucerne/Anvil, and you’re not with customers (ha!), I’ll tool over. I wanna check out an Alaskan 20’, ya know?
[#bf0000]tg[/#bf0000]
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