New Boat!

[BC]

I'm in the market for a new boat and could use some help. I've been makin the rounds to all the fishing and boat shows recently trying to get some ideas--latest being the Northwest Sports Show. I want aluminum, 17-19 foot, I primarily walleye fish but also bass fish so it must be versitle. I've narrowed it down to two boats Lund-Alumacraft. I origially wanted nothing but Lund, but I've heard great things about Alumacraft and they have many attractive features, layout, ect. At the Northwest show this past weekend, I got talking to a Rep/pro for Berkley. He stated he recently switched to Alumacraft and went through all the pros/cons. After explaining my intended use he suggested the following:
Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185
150 Merc Optimax
Minn Kota Vantage (transom mount)
a-what suggestions do you have for this setup compared to Lund
19ft Pro V Tournament Series.
b-I'm not familar with the "smart gauges" for the Optimax which will allow you to troll down to 1 mile an hour--is this possible?
c-Can the Minn Kota Vantage troll, backtroll in most conditions on this setup or is a tiller needed. (I'd like to keep a light a setup as possible)
d-heading to Fox River or Praire du Sac dam this weekend, first time, what landings are good/bad?
e-any info would greatly be appreciated, sorry for the rambling but I could write about fishing or boats all day long!!!
Thanx in advance for any reply!!!

[montana]

I bought a Alumacraft 175 tournament pro and love it! If your looking for a bass and walleye boat this one would work great.The tournament model is fairly low to the water like most bass boats but still will handle quite alot of rough water. I'm just now looking into the minnkota vantage motor, I do think this motor will work great as a kicker. Oh also dont go any smaller than a 150 on your outboard, I think you would be unhappy with it. hope this helps

[The Smalleye]

I have a 1800 lund fisherman and I fish both inland waters and lake Erie , You may pay a little more for a Lund but you will get a better resale value if you ever want to trade it in. I have owned several boats in my life and of all of them I like the lund. If you fish big water more the lund has a hall that is better and more stable then any other boats in its class.
Good luck
" THE SMALLEYE "

[The Smalleye]

I have a 1800 lund fisherman and I fish both inland waters and lake Erie , You may pay a little more for a Lund but you will get a better resale value if you ever want to trade it in. I have owned several boats in my life and of all of them I like the lund. If you fish big water more the lund has a hall that is better and more stable then any other boats in its class.
Good luck
" THE SMALLEYE "

[goldie]

what is a smart gage for the optimax?

[Ron]

I can answer only one of your questions. The slowest that I can get my Optimax smartgauge to forward troll is 1.5 mph (450 rpm). Of course, that is without using any drift bags.

[Badger]

I've been fishing the Sac Dam for the past two months now, and have no problems with the VFW landing (I have a 1700 Angler). Here are a couple of pointers:

1.) Put your boat in as far left on the ramp as possible. It's very shallow on the center-right portion. By left, I mean the side up current.

2.) Once you get the boat in, proceed to drive straight out. If you start to drift downstream in front of the ramp, you better trim the motor all the way up and get on the troller as it'll get shallow. It's wise to get the motor started on the trailer before you shove off.

3.) When going up to the Dam, stay to the right (near the partially submerged trees), and then cut across the channel to the left when you get near the island (just before the Dam). Then aim for the rapid current. If you do it right, you will never get any shallower than 3'. You just have to think like the water (it's one big 'S')

Important: Take your time. It is possible to go WOT, but even at best, you will be in 3' of water at times, and the hard rock bottom is very unforgiving. Last weekend, I heard three different boats tear up their bottom end. One in particular was a newer Champion with a 150 Ficht. He took off at WOT, fully trimmed (throwing a tail and all), and hit bottom. Ugly...

Good luck, and maybe we'll see you up there this weekend. I've got the grey Angler SS with the 115 Ficht.

[Box]

I too have the Alumacraft TP 175, with Merc 150 efi. With the larger 185, I'd agree that the 150 would be smallest you'd want. It is the ideal motor on our 18' boat. The 2XB hull really is solid as they say. Go for a ride to really find out for yourself. We are on our third Alumcraft in 20 years, and they are good boats.

For other boats in 19 foot range, the ProV 1900 Limited kicks butt! The rod storage in middle of floor on bow gets a big thumbs up from me! I wish other boats would start doing that. Who needs a big livewell up front anyway?... Maybe in future models...

Good luck with your decision! Have fun making it and then using your new boat!

Box in MN

[Snickers]

The new Alumicraft 2xb hull was designed by the same person that designed the hull for Lund. He left Lund and started with Alumicraft a few years ago.
I now have owned a 1999 195 T. Pro and now have a 2000 195 T. Pro. both tillers with 100 hp Yamaha. No matter how good they make the hull it still wont hold up against a car t-boning it on the trailer thus the new 2000.
I looked at the new 185 T. Pro " Tiller " and am sure it's a great boat but the electronics area has a total new design and I didn't care for that. They don't make the 195 any more and why that is I don't know. I have three frinds that all own Alumicraft - 2 175's and 1 195 all realy like the boats and are all tillers. If you can buy a 4 stoke you will like it.

[JimStolpa]

Badger thanks for the tips. My In-Laws just moved to PDS for Okee. I've always wanted to launch there but looks tough. Is the river open? Thanks Jim

[BigBass]

Side note: The great LUND rod storage in the front bow is only available in the "Limited" edition 1900 and 2025 for an upgrade of about $3000.

[Popia]

BC, sounds like a nice setup for both boats. However, a gas powered kicker motor, a bow mount electric motor, and splash gaurds would be the way I would rig the boat. If you fish big water then the gas powered kicker motor will allow you to forward troll at very low speeds (<1 mph) or back troll with the use of splash gaurds. Also in case of an emergency (main motor failure) you have a way to get back to shore. A bow mount foot controled electric trolling motor would give you the ability to position fish both for walleye (verticle jigging, casting) and bass (Flipping, pitching, casting) that would be easier than a transom mounted trolling motor. Hope this helps, good luck and enjoy your new boat.

[Badger]

The river is wide open. Launching and navigating isn't tough; just be patient, go slow, and use common sense. There'll be many, many, MANY boats, so you can sit and watch a few before you try.

Maybe I'll see ya up there...