Alumacraft 185 very wet.

[Mike Meyers]

I rode in a alumacraft 185 single console yesterday on lake erie with a 200 mercury on it. I was looking to buy one this winter and I was not very happy with the ride. The boat is very wet in 2 footers running at a speed of 25 miles an hour which is a crusing speed. I think I will switch to a 19 foot lund pro-v the price is comparable and they aren't as wet. Have any of you had this bad experience?

[TinOwner]

Mike,
I have an Alumacraft Magnum 165 CS which is also "wet". I had a buddy with me the last time I was out. He owns a Lund Pro-V 20 footer (don't know the designation.) and I asked him if his got him as wet as mine got us that day. He just looked at me and said "Yes!". End of conversation. It was 50 degrees with 35 mph winds that day ... we were both bundled up and chilled. And wet.

If you want "dry", I think you are going to need to go to a glass boat. I am thinking about doing that.

I hope this helps.

[tom]

you get in any boat no matter if glass boat or a alum. boat. end of story. if you dont like it by a cabin crouser.

[J.P.]

Alot depends on how you drive the boat.

[Bad Finger]

I don't get wet in my Yarcraft! No Lie.

[OOC]

Wet in 2'ers? Maybe you were going too slow.I've got the hammer down in footers with my Osprey1760. Two and a half to threes are a different story.Slow,but still wet.

[OOC]

Meant to say still not wet.

[Daren]

You might want to look into a boat with full windshield if you are going aluminum. Nearly all aluminums are wet boats. Some more than others but if its aluminum you will likely get wet. The full windsheild will protect you from alot of the water. Glass is also an excellent choice though and because of it's characteristics it is much easier to make a glass boat dry.

Daren

Remember: Boats are like potato chips... You can't have just one...

[The Eyes_Have it]

OK, i agree, any boat can get you wet. But my 2025 pro V. is pretty darn dry. If i'm having to go at an angle to some 2 footers, I get wet. But the ride is still very nice.

[JerryA]

There are many variables that determine how wet the ride is - wave size, direction, wind and speed. If you're going to use your boat on Lake Erie, do yourself a favor and get a full windshield. The comfort will far outweigh any negatives.

[Guest]

I spent a lot of days in my Lund 2025 on Erie, Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron this year. I do not recall ever getting wet at all. There were some pretty choppy days on both Saginaw and Erie.

In 2 foot waves you should be outrunning your spray. You were probably going to slow. But maybe not to slow for the boat though.

I know a Lund 2025 and a Ranger 20 DVS would easily run a lot faster than 25 mph in 2 footers.

And in the right wind you sometimes just have to adjust your approach into the waves and spray. Maybe add more time to the trip but get you there dryer.

[IA Fisherman]

Look into a Lund Fisherman series. I have the 1800 and it is very dry. Occasionally if you hit a wave just right, you might get some spray, but it is rare.

Just got back from a trip in MN and my buddy has a Pro-V. He is thinking about trying a way to put a full windshield on his boat after riding in mine.

Just my .02 worth.

[willy]

I have one, just fine if you operate at the best speed to prevent from getting wet, that simple. love my set-up

[Jim]

I had a 185 Alumacraft and I ended up selling it after one season. I am a diehard fisherman on Erie and was sick of getting wet. There was no speed that would keep you dry. I would not reccomend one to anyone unless maybe a weekend warrior who only goes out on flat calm days.

[RHines]

I'm running the Alumacraft Tournament Sport 185 with the Yamaha VMax 200 HPDI which has the full walk thru windshield. I also run the boat with a top. I run this boat on Lake of the Woods, and 2 to 4 footers seemed to be the norm this year. I haven't run a lund or any of the other brands, but I've been on this lake in a Ranger 620 multiple times. I've been really happy with how the Alumacraft boat sends out the spray. Sometimes in a really bad crosswind the person sitting in the second seat has gotten wet, but other than that I've been very happy with it. I think that the second person would have gotten wet that day in that crosswind in any boat. As far as the spray goes my opinion would be that with the cloth top off I would say it runs as dry as the Ranger. I don't feel that the aluminum could take the pounding that that Ranger could over it's whole life though. I'm talking 10 to 15 years running big water.

I managed to plant the tip one time when I wasn't expecting a huge wave, and was darn glad I had the windshield with the top on. I got a face full of water between the snaps anyways, but without it I probably would have felt like I was swimming for a few seconds.

This time of year is when you see who the diehard fishermen are out on the water, anybody else out on the water you see fishing is just as Crazy as You are. I'll be crazy this weekend!


Ryan

[The Great Guide]

I've got a ProV 1800 and I will vouch for the wet ride. I got to ride in a Fisherman and was suprised at the difference. Next time I buy I'm going to give the Fisherman some serious consideration.

TGG

[jake]

how high was the motor trimmed up? if it was down you will be pushing the spray out in front of you , the wind catches it and you get wet. trim up and the bow raises reducing the spray. you should hav e no problem running dry at 25-30 mph trimmed up slightly higher than normal.

[Larry Carr]

While I monitor this site, I very rarely add my two bits, as I don't want to sound like I am trying to sell a Triton every time I am on here. But just had to add my two bits on this one.

I have driven/been riding in too many boats, both aluminum and fiberglass, to count on Erie, Saginaw Bay, Lake Michigan, St. Clair, etc .

The ride of any boat on any given day depends on so many different variables that I would not make my decision to buy any boat, no matter whose aluminum or fiberglass, after just one ride. Shop intelligently, talk to owners at launch ramps (as you know, we anglers like to brag up our boats), at shows, on web sites, at tournaments. Listen...Listen...Listen to every opinion you can. Ride in as many different models as one can...but don't make your decision on just one ride. The variables are just too great to make a decision to spend $15,000 and up without shopping (and riding) hard.

The variables, you aks? How about:
1) Wind direction and speed
2) Body of water and time of year
3) Operators experience level with that boat and on that body of water
4) Barometric pressure and water temp that day
5) Power plant and set up
6) Load and balance, like what is on board in the way of fuel, full livewell(s), equipment, passengers, kicker motor
7) Prop..is the pitch and diameter for the application correct?

The nature of a boat is that it is in water and when operating will push waves and water. The Battleship Missouri was wet, in the right situation...just ask some of those who served on her.

The only perfect boat that I know of was Noah's Arc...and he ain't around to tell us if it was wet!!!

Larry Carr
Triton Boats

[REW]

I have to 2nd Larry's comments.

If you want a boat that is dryer than another boat - simply look at both boats from the bow - looking to the stern; while each boat is on the trailer.

When you compare the sides of the two boats - the boat that has the straightest sides and least "flare" will be -- In general -- wetter, than the boat that has outward curving sides, and a very substantial bow flare.

If you look at "blue water boats" from the bow - looking aft - you will find that there is a huge flare - to deflect the waves outward, and downward. This flare - also tends to soften the ride, becaue the downward deflected water coming off large waves - tends to lift the bow and soften the bows reentry into the next wave.

This large - flare or "recurve" is basic and very simple to mold into any type of a composite boat. However, it is literally impossible to bend metal into this double reverse curve - that is required for the outward and downward deflection of a large bow wave.

Todays metal boat manufacturers have compensated for this to a significant degree (compared to metal boats of years ago) - by
1. Increasing the length of the bot - i.e. by making a longer more pointy nose - to soften the bows rentery into the waves.
2. Adding various types of splash rails - (often with a reverse slot molded into the rail - to downward defelct the wave. The only problem with the splash rail - is that it is on the order of 1-3 inches in width - which helps to reverse some of the water flow - but is considerably smaller than the (often - several feet in width) of a reverse flare on some of todays composite - fresh water and blue water boats.

I trust - that the above explanation helps explain some of the ride, and moisture differences - that are experienced by owners of various types, styles, and boats of different materials and manufacturers.

Good luck - and stay dry. If wet - keep a large towel along - to dry off.

REW

[Larry Carr]

REW,

To have you second my opinion is indeed flattering and an honor. I might add that when I see one of your posts, I always read it because it is always well thought out and 99.9% right on the money. That other .1% is why God put erasers on pencils. (LOL) :)

Thanks,
Larry

[Sounder]

REW or anyone else what is the best Engine angle, load placement, speed for running in bigger water? Is there a forumla that works most of the time?

Sounder

[jake]

like larry and rew said, boats and conditions are different for everybody. i have a starcraft 196 dc. i don't even slow down in 2 footers. beyond that i slow down till i'm not pounding continuously the trim up till either i get a dry ride or my prop starts to break out. then trim down a little and drive like that. in 2-4 footers against the wind i can usually do 20-25 mph, in 4-6 footers 10-15 mph and a little faster, maybe 5 mph with the wind. the cross winds are what gets ya. 2 or three times a year i just put on a rain suit.

[Miami Vice]

Do you think the new 2003 Lund's that offer the IPS 2 hull, will ride any drier than the IPS hull?
Miami Vice

[alumacraft factory]

1.) I could take you for a ride in honest 2 foot waves and could be confident that you would not take a pounding or depending on direction of travel, show you how to run your boat a way that would help eliminate a "wet ride".
2.) Please look at the Walleye Boat shootout coming up in Outdoor Life magazine. Our Pro 185 CS equipped with a Yamaha 200 YZ was tested by the magazine on Mille Lacs Lake at 57.3 MPH, this was in September on a rainy blustery day.
3.) I fish Mille Lacs as much as possible with a Tourn Pro 175 tiller, 2 foot waves are not uncommon, and I have converted many people over who have run competitive lines of boats. I believe that we at Alumacraft honestly make a boat that will run as dry and comfortable as any aluminum boat out there, and for anyone that doubts me I invite them for a test ride.
4.) I appreciate all comments pro and con, this is how we improve our product to make them the way you, the fisherman like them.

I can be emailed at jbyron@alumacraft.com with any questions

[John]

I've looked at the Alumacraft line, looks like nice boats.My local dealer is Highs Marine Inc. in Decateur Mi. Is Alumacraft and Highs going to get together and work something out? They won't quote me a price on Alumacrafts. I know you know what other brand they sell.... If you want to make a dent in the Lund population in MI, you have to have Dealers selling your product! Am I missing something here?

[eye Lunker]

you might wanna consider fiberglass. My 1895 yarcraft is the driest boat out there.No regrets here!