Yar-Craft Storm BT

[bellyup]

Are Storms as good as they are marketed?? Has anyone had a hull problem with the Glass-Boats??

[rngrfshm]

look on this site for the one post here the other day regarding stress cracks and cracks in the gelcoat.

[pepe]

i believe you are refering to the warrior boat
question, where other people responded to the
fact that most other glass boats have stress
cracks. i for one, have heard that "yar-craft"
makes a very good boat. i also have been thinking
about purchasing one. i would like the"michigan"
with a lot of free board and walk thru winshield.
i also am interested in finding out what other
yar-craft owners have to say? thank you. and
good luck.

[RANGER]

Ya know, I have been kicking around that same thing. I have heard tremendous praise of the YarCraft from their owners. I like the Michigan too and am thimking about looking more into it.

The other boat I am seriously looking at is the LUND 2025 PRO V. I have precluded all other boats for my personal and selfish reasons.

My wife told me to get a bigger boat this past weekend, I'm going to start looking!! Can't believe that, huh? It's TRUE. We were on Lake Erie in 2 to 4 and than 3 to 5 footers. She said,"If you want me to be out here with you on days like this, I want you to get a bigger boat"! I have an 18+ footer now.

She's a wonderful wife, in more ways than this!!!!

RANGER

[EyeBoy]

Ranger:
You are truly blessed.
FISH-ON!!!

[1895 dc owner]

I've been pondering how to respond to this post without causing the usual turmoil...warrior vs yarcraft vs ranger vs tuffy vs....oh you regulars get my drift. The funny thing about this issue is, that compared to what we had available in the way of dedicated walleye and multispecies boats only a few years ago, we have alot of really great boats to choose from. At the risk of offending everyone in the lower 48 plus several provinces, let me respond as a storm dc owner and say that in my opinion, the boat is every bit as good as advertised. The ride is as soft and dry as any other boat in its class which I have had the chance to drive. Attention to detail seems to vary a bit from boat to boat, but in the case of my boat, and one other which Ive spent a fair amount of time in, it is very good. I have discovered 2 very small gell coat , one in each rear corner, which my dealer ures me will be taken care of. I trust the man based on previous dealings with him. The company owner has been available and helpful to answer my many nitpicking questions. I have had virtually no problems with any of the boats systems: livewells work as advertised, windshield stays in place, hatches close , rod storage satisfies my needs, you name it. I chose the storm over its competition based on the number of features it boasts which suit my needs. I salmon fish alot also, for instance, and find the storm to be a comfortable boat to troll out of, and again, due to the fact that I trust the dealer. I am one very satisfied yarcraft owner. I hope that you can say the same about whatever boat you buy.

[Kevin A]

I've been running a Michigan 192 for the last two years. No complaints at all. It's a great boat for big water. I fish Lake Michigan most of the time and it handles the typical 2-5 footers with ease. Dry soft ride, just like they say. The occasional rouge wave that sends me airborne results in a landing as soft as the take-off. It rigs up great for trolling or position fishing. The wind affects it very little. If you have any questions send me an email. Here's a few pics:

#####://users.wi.net/~datuboat/images/boatpic2.jpg

#####://users.wi.net/~datuboat/images/nose1_1.jpg

this is the storage door on the bow I use for mounting & hiding the bow locator:
#####://users.wi.net/~datuboat/images/boatpics/bowloc2.jpg

#####://users.wi.net/~datuboat/images/boatpics/rail2.jpg

#####://users.wi.net/~datuboat/images/boatpics/stduprod.jpg

#####://users.wi.net/~datuboat/images/boatpics/oil_batts.jpg

#####://users.wi.net/~datuboat/images/boatpics/electronics.jpg

[RANGER]

Thank you. I am blessed with this one!!!!

RANGER

[Jerry]

Great response to the question. I currently own a 1895 Storm Backtroller. I do professional boat rigging and test the other boats metioned. The Storm is by far the softest and driest ride on the water. The factory has hired a QC man and that has eliminated most of the fit and finish problems that occured in the past. If you have any problems with satisfaction from you dealer, E-Mail Bob at the factory, he is more than entersted in your comments and reads these messages daily(right Bob?)I know you will be satisfied with you new Yar Craft.---Jerry

[Tom (Mich)]

I've had an 1985 Storm DC since last June. I highly recommend the walk-through windshield. Overall very impressed. Not to be redundant, but a very dry and soft ride. I had some gelcoat cracks that were addressed at the factory last winter. As stated previously, fit and finish needed improvement and it sounds like they accomplished that. For example, on my consoles the carpeting doesn't quite cover the entire top.

Overall, a fishing machine and, at least in my opinion, the hottest looking rig out there.

[RANGER]

Kevin A,

##### nice rig!!! Sharp looking boat!!! I really like the overall looks of it, too!

I am really leaning (60% to 40%) towards the YarCraft vs the LUND. I want a DRY boat this next time, both inside and outside (waves). My present boat is an aluminum hull and I always have water in the bildge. The only problem I have with the YarCraft is that I live in Pennsylvania and there are no dealers here. However, that wouldn't necessarily stop me from getting one. I pull the darn thing all over the place anyway, a trip to Michigan - soooooo!!

RANGER

P.S. I am in the process of setting up an e-mail here at Walleye Central. This is my company PC and they frown on e-mails not business related.

"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[rngrfshm]

I looked at buying a 1895 storm last year and all 3 boats that I looked at had the screws popped on them to where the seams where sealing between the top and the bottom sections. Also there was no sealeant in the back end of the transom area for the fit inbetween them. I was told later that all three boats that I had looked at between two cities where sent back to the factory to have them redone. I ended up going to a ranger, but I was seriously looking at the storm because of the depth that it had over the ranger. Like the other posts on here, the fitting of the two sections that I had seen last year on there boats where not impressing me much, I havent seen this years models, but 1999's I didnt like the fit.

Hopefully they made some changes to this. Also I have seen some from 1999 that had several spiders cracks in them as well, but I was told that they where fixed from the factory.

I think the storm would be a good option if the fittings are now corrected.

[Golderneye]

Just gotta repsond to your question about the Yarcraft Storm series. I have an 1895 DC w/ the walkthrough windshield. First, I can't say enough good about this boat. Planes and handles well with a 200 Yamaha, and like in the above posts, the ride is as advertised. Two, since I hope you spend much more time fishing than going 55 -60 mph, this is where this boat shines. I know you were wondering about a BT., but in the DC. I know of no other boat of this size with more gunnel to gunnel room behind the windshield. This means no storage or livewells to kneel on in 3 footers while setting boards,or better yet netting fish, as with some basseye boats. In short the interior of this rig is very operational for the walleye fisherman. Also while fishing, the tracking in the water is awesome. I know that some say the windshield catches wind on a DC while fishing. I live in SD. where the wind blows and then blows it back again, and I have found that this boat stays on track. Lastly as far as cracking on a glass boat? Obviously actual stress cracks are not good on any glass boat. I believe this would indicate a breach in the quality of the product. I do not have any and have not heard of any on this model of boat. This is not to be confused with cracks in the gel coat. I do have a very few of these in the back corner of the boat, and they are very common on every glass boat out there. Glass boat are made to be much more flexible than there metal counterparts, thus contributing to the softer smoother dryer ride attained. About the stiffest part of a glass boats is the pretty gel coat that is not as flexible. Thus you enventually end up with small usually harmless gel cracks. Naturally as this and many glass boats are white, these gel cracks show up easier. But look at some of the darker makes of boats, and they are there, just not as visible.
I am confident you will be please with this boat. I sure am.

[gofish]

I've got a 1895 storm with a windshield and overall the boats fantastic. I've only had one continuing problem, gel coat cracking my boats a 1999 and a couple months after I bought it I discovered about 7 small cracks along the rub rail it went back to the factory to get repaired. When it came back they had missed one of them I thought what the heck I could live with that. I've had my boat back about 3 1/2 months now and it's cracking in several more spots all over the top cap of the boat 1 in the transom 1 by the windshield by the front baitwell and back by the rear control panel I have 3 about 2 to 4 inches long. I'd always heard you are going to get a couple in your boat but I think this is to many. If it has this many now what will it look like after 4 or 5 seasons use. One of you said Bob reads these I hope he does and I hope he steps up and makes this right. I love the boat it's the finest fishing boat I've owned, but it's clear theres a problem with my boat and the gel coat. Bob don't don't make me eat my words I've been bragging about this boat to everyone I meet and I want to own several more, but I won't if there going to do this

[BOB]

RIGHT JERRY !!! SORRY I WAS OUT OF TOWN YESTERDAY!!!!

[BOB]

DON'T WORRY----KEEP BRAGGING!! JUST E-MAIL OR CALL AND WE'LL FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. WE DON'T WANT YOU OFF THE WATER ANY LONGER THAN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. (JUST KIDDING A LITTLE ON THE FIRST PART)

[Bellyup]

Okay so it sounds like the worst problems anyone has had lies in the gel-coat!! And I would assume then, after seeing Bobs posting, that the Gel-coat issue is being tackled as we correspond right?? So has the Gel-coat process changed at all between 98, 99, and 00??? Yeah these questions are essentially aimed at Bob!!

[bob]

I'd only be guessing on what caused the cracks unless I actually looked at them.In some cases it's caused be too much thickness of gel---in others it's coming off a hole thats been drilled for fastening something-- and there are other things also.Basically fiberglass can bend and absorb vibrations with-out cracking--so can gel coat to a lesser degree!! But if gel coat is applied too thick!----It has little tolerance for bending or vibrations. If you want to talk about it my tel. is 906-863-4497 I'll be able to explain it much better. I have to leave this after noon--but if you call I'll get back to you asap. Or e-mail if you want-----Thanks

[Ha Ka Ha Padro]

Hay Bob my wife has nicked named you Padro when she is fishing with me you can see her foot prints on the Azteck finish you seleceted for your interor, or was this to hide the cracks I have all over 'your' boat. Your dealer in Minot No. Dakota can,t seem to rid himself of of all the boats you stuck him with. Overall the boat is a night mare to work on and only looks good on the trailer. My friend who just came from your factory said your boats are being built by Wasaka fiberglass in Wis. and your factory is mearly a assy. plant. Thats 'CONTROL' No Dealer wants my boat on trade.