Smokercraft sportsmans sleds?

[KingFisher85]

Buddy and I have been looking into the 16ft smokercraft sportsmans sleds at stevens.
Max rated HP for the hull is a 60hp
Brand new 60hp tiller pumps are all 4 strokes.
No 60hp 2 strokes.
So stevens has some brand new Mercury 50hp 2 stroke jets.
Guys at Stevens said the 50hp 2 stroke jet did better then what they would of thought it would of with a driver plus 2 others.

What I would like to know, how does them jets push the boat? Id always be running me (buck 180) plus 2 guys.
How quick do they come up on plane?

I have an 18fter but don't see the need for the extra room when all I ever do is take 2 people fishing, fish the Lewis and the Cowlitz.

[jtp6089]

What makes a boat get on plane quickly isn't just horsepower, but also has to do with running surface. Your longer 18' boat is going to get up on plane quicker, with a better hole shot, than a 16' boat. I would stay clear of smaller boats for this reason. I recently talked to one of the salesmen at Stevens and he said Alumaweld is dis-continuing their smaller boats for that very reason. I'd stay with the 18' if I were you.:) Steven's website says they still have the 2 stroke Carb'd 90/65 jet. It was a pretty good motor for me.

Also, I think yamaha still makes the smaller 2 stroke jets (90 HP and less).

[RascallyRabbit]

I have a 80 HP Jet on my 18' NR Scout, it does what I need from it. It's quiet, efficient (10 gallons in 3 days at Bouy 10), gets up on plane fine with 1 or 2 extra people in it, even does decent with 4. But, if I was replacing it I'd strongly consider a 2-Stroke for the hole shot and lighter weight. Have you looked at the NR Revenges?

Steve/RR

[ahub]

I have the 16', bought at stevens with a merc 60 hp four stroke. It was a turd. Stevens was good about it, now it has a 90/65 two stroke and it flies.
It's almost too much, but the only other mercury option was a 75 hp optimax which was heavier and more money. I love my boat, but if I had a do-over it would be 18' and 115/80 two-stroke. That's my two cents.

[Pelagic Captain]

My bro has a 16' smoker with a merc. 60/40 2 stroke last year of the 2 cycle 60/40 it is a great combi I have a 17' Roughneck with the same engine..that engine will plane with 4 guys and 1 boy and a pile of decoys,guns etc. great setup..stay away from the 4 stroke because of weight and poor hole shot... the smoker hull has I believe a 6 degree deadrise go with a 2 stroke and no less than a 60/40 the 50 won't get the job done ..I know a guy that dumped his 50 2 stroke yami cuz of poor hole shot..he also went with a 60/40 2 stroke merc. this was on a 17' Roughneck like my boat a good choice would be the 70 hp 2 stroke merc. or yami Roughnecks ain't pretty ( my wife calls mine the ugly boat) but they do perform

[KingFisher85]

Thats the info I'm looking for.
Id like to hear more imput still from owners.
What did you (if anyone has) done for a fish box in one..I noticed that they don't come with one.

What about towing? I can't (I can but I don't like to and don't) tow my 18fter with my 2.3L ford ranger lol...How does the 16fter tow behind a 4cly truck?
Thats the main reason why I want to down grade. One, if I keep my 18fter I have to repower with more power, and two, I have to get a tow rig...Lotta cash just to fish 2 maybe 3 people when a smaller boat will get the job done..I'm not rich yet lol and do not want any over head with my new hobby. :grin: