Hewescraft Open Fisherman or Lund Alaskan for maintenance free fishing? I have owned a Lund Alaskan in the past and miss it for how simple it was. Thinking about trying a Hewescraft Open Fisherman this time but noticed they have wood in the floor, was trying to stay away from wood this time around. Any one running a Hewescraft Open Fisherman? Pros, cons?

If you are wanting maintenance free be sure to add Lake Assult to your list of rigs to check out.
They are custom made in Elk River Minnesota.

Take a look at Pacific or Blacklab plate welded aluminum boats. The owner of Blacklab sent me a brochure earlier this year. It included a small sample of the aluminum used in the hull bottom. It was easily 1/4" thick.

Make sure you take the opportunity to test-drive either boat on the water before you purchase. I recently had the opportunity to run a Pacific NW "tank" boat, and what I noticed right off the bat is that is was louder than a conventional tin boat. Keep in mind, this rig has a lot of storage compartments, and an aluminum plate floor, so there is more of an opportunity for aluminum on aluminum noise.
Not sure where you're located, but Frank G (Walleyeguide here on WC) has a 20' Weldcraft tiller, rigged to the hilt, that he'd be more than happy to take you out in. He is out of Rock River Marine in Edgerton WI. Give him a shout. 608-921-2819
HRG

Dutchboy, Lake Assault is definetly on my list as I have been out in one and toured the factory. The only problem is cost.... They are about $10,000 more than either boat in the original post, and I might add worth it if you can swing it. They have alot more storage than the Hewescraft and are made alot better than the Lund. I have never heard of the others listed in the reponses but will look into them. Thanks for the tips.

The Blacklab and Pacific boats do not seem to have a tiller model available. The Weldcraft is pretty radical but how does one look at one other than private party? I think I will stick to Hewescraft and the Lund, possibly a LakeAssault if I can find a used one.

if you want to test drive one of the weldcraft tillers you can give me a shout.
not sure what size boat you want but i can get you on the water with a 20' boat.
the boats are built to last and that will be very apparent when you see one.
frank g. 608 921 2819 (cell)

Dutchboy, Lake Assault is definetly on my list as I have been out in one and toured the factory. The only problem is cost.... They are about $10,000 more than either boat in the original post, and I might add worth it if you can swing it. They have alot more storage than the Hewescraft and are made alot better than the Lund. I have never heard of the others listed in the reponses but will look into them. Thanks for the tips.



Yikes........I had never priced one but I have looked at them. Since you toured the factory I'll assume you live in Minnesota. I don't know if you are aware of them but there is a Hewescraft dealer up in Ranier on Rainy Lake. I'm sure they could hook you up with a test ride. There seem to be quite a few Hewescraft on Rainy.

I have faced the same dilemma and I have owned both types of boats. We just recently got a welded aluminum boat and it has it's pros and cons vs the Lund Pro-V's we've had.

Cons:

Louder ride, for several reasons, mostly because there is less insulation and it's not as boxed in as the Pro-V.

Ride, the ride is much harder because the helm is farther forward. Which also gives you a smaller bow (of course). You definitely want suspension seats, it makes a huge difference.

Pros:

Way more room in the boat

Tougher boat, the hull of my new boat is almost twice as thick as my Pro-V IFS. .100" compared to .190". And the freeboard is as thick as the bottom of the Lund again: .100" compared to .090"

Bottom Line, the Welded aluminum are noisy and have a rougher ride, but you get more room and more utility.

Hewescraft Open Fisherman or Lund Alaskan for maintenance free fishing? I have owned a Lund Alaskan in the past and miss it for how simple it was. Thinking about trying a Hewescraft Open Fisherman this time but noticed they have wood in the floor, was trying to stay away from wood this time around. Any one running a Hewescraft Open Fisherman? Pros, cons?


My guess is you live out "west" ...if Hewes and Lund are the brands you are looking at.
You have been given some other brands to consider...but we who live in the west...particularly the Northwest, know there a hundred more choices of welded aluminum boats. Heck, there is a welded boat company or two in every town on the Snake R., and most other rivers in this part of the world.
They are all really similar,...but with the sales pitches...A guy can get plenty confused.

Are using the boat on a Lake...or on a skinny river?
Jet power? or Prop?

Both will serve you well in terms of room and simplicity.
I'd recommend that you go with the one sold by the dealer with the better reputaion.

From actual experience I will say...The Alaskan will ride a little bit better in whitecaps on a lake, and the Hewes will be noisier in those conditions...like: "bungity-bungity-bung".

The Hewes (especially with a Jet on it) is a great guide-type boat for Salmon, steelhead, Sturgeon type trips.
The Lund has a few more standard interior features and was developed from the needs of midwest and Canadian boaters/resorters/guides.

Lots of room in both.

Buying should be fun... don't over analyze it and get stressed out!

Tmac,
I am from the midwest and currently own a Ranger. I am looking for something I can pile up to the dock with, pull up on any type of shore, never have to wash or wax, leave outside without fading or covering, able to fish the river in the winter months, mechanical maintenance only, no cosmetic. I know a car topper type boat would work but this boat needs to fish 4 and do it somewhat comfortably on Pepin to Mille Lacs to the Chippewa Flowage. I am asking alot I know but one can dream! P.S. it needs to be a tiller.

Hewescraft on a budget, nearly identical boats, checkout Raider boats Pro-Sport series. Looks very impressive at a bargain price. www.raiderboats.com

http://www.alumaweldboats.com/moredetails.html?20700149482&sitecode=alumaweldboats&icc_ind=BOAT

Rig it with a 250HP Opti prop, or maybe a 175 proXS pump. 25 feet of big-water goodness...

Been on a sturgeon fishing trip with a 200 VMax on the 23' model with a pump and it was ridiculous. The bottom length combined with a 10 deg. deadrise made that thing ride like a pillowtop mattress. And anybody who has fished the Gorge on the Columbia knows I know what steep chop is...
And room? I think we could have played flag football in it between bites. Couldn't imagine another 2'...

Not an endorsement for Alumaweld, just listing a first-hand experience in another boat that fits your criteria.

Northwest Guest

My list just got longer, that is an AWESOME rig. I wish they would show more interior pictures.
Thanks Northwes guest!

The HewesCraft OpenFisheman has been redesigned for 2009. It is about 5% lighter and a much more regid boat, even more so then it already was. The engineers have totally eliminated any flex or twist from the hull when underway so it transfers the power of the motor much more efficiently for fuel efficiency and performance. You also wont need as big of a motor which will save a bunch of $$$.

It also has a livewell in the bow instead of that strorage compartment and the storage in the floor is still there. In the Open fisherman they also put the fuel tank in the bow which helps balance out the boat and greatly enhance the ride.

It does have a wood floor, but its not just any wood its boise cascade. This stuff is amazing and they back it up with either a lifetime or 100yr warrenty something to that effect where youll never have to worry about it. HewesCraft tried aluminum floors in the past, they were cold, slippery, and noisey so they moved away from that.

Ive never heard any complaints about the noisey ride but from riding in one i can see where that may come from but what i can tell you that the 2009 is a much more boxed in model and if craneblake is right and that is the cause it should quiet it down some.

I dont know much Lunds and i hear they are great boats. I just thought i would share some of my knowledge and good luck in your decision. I did ride in a 200 Openfisherman Center Console a few days ago with a 150ETEC and WOW that thing was a rocket (50+ mph).

Hewes guest when can one see the upgraded Open Fisherman? I am interested but have not had time to actually see one in person, nearest dealer is 267 miles away. Is the bow livewell a fishbox or does it actually have a pump? Is there any Rod storage other than the trays? So the floor fish box is now storage?

http://www.lakeassault.com/

Here is another boat that is built like a tank

They are currently in production, Calumet Marine will have one in a couple weeks. I also have some pictures and video of the 2009 200 Center Console i rode in on Monday. The redesign was in the structure of the boat under the floor and in the bow section. The livewell in the bow comes standard as a fishbox and available pump option as an upgrade. I dont know where they ever got calling that box in the floor a fishbox, it wasnt very useful. I just always considered it storage.

As far as rod storage its pretty much the same, there are rod grippers on either side of the boat. There is a rod locker option, i dont know when the last time youve seen that was but they improve on that pretty much every year. I have pictures of those as well. They are still all stuck on my camera though ill post when i drop them in my photobucket.

The photos are up, still working on the video though. The one in the pictures is a camo edition and is new for this year. HewesCraft says they are going to be a lot more open to "custom ideas." So if you have something in mind dont hesitate to ask.

http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o103/hondam/HewesCraft/200%20OF/

Thanks for posting the pic's Hewes. The camo paint is very detailed, that is one sweeet boat, now only if it was a tiller!

saggy,
if you want to drive one give me a call
frank cell 608 921 2819

wow a 20' hewes open fisherman
i have rode and fished in a 16' open. That thing is huge for a 16' boat
The 20' one has got to be a barge i did not know they made a 20 in the open fishing model
The craftsmanship on the 16' was awsome I am looking at the hewes dealers web site in Chicago and the base price on just the 20' boat is only 12,500.00
I wonder if that is rite ? my buddys 16 is older like a 2005 or older i wonder if they are still made as well as they where ?
looks like i will have to make time to go look at this one

Don't forget about resale value...unless you plan to keep it forever.

Most of those aluminum boats are custom, why can't you just put the console further back so the ride isn't any rougher then a lund design? Aren't those thick aluminum boats roughly the same weight as a fiberglass boat which are supposed to ride nice?

The 2009 Hewescraft 200 Open fisherman only wieghs 1000#. It is much lighter then a comperable sized fiberglass hull. A 90hp Honda pushes it around very well. Needing a smaller motor is also a big savings in wieght. The 2009 supposed to be an even more solid model then the 2008 which is hard to believe then can make soming more solid then they already did, and its about 50# lighter. From what i hear they simply just redesigned the structure under the floor and how they put the bow section together.

Aluminum boats in general are not going to ride as well as fiberglass. But that is not a complaint you hear very often about Lunds or HewesCrafts, when comparing apple to apples.