Flat bottom North River vs Alumaweld?

[Jetsledder]

I am looking into buying a flat bottom sled. I was wondering if a noth river was better or a alumaweld. The models I am looking at are late 80s and early 90s. They also are outboards jets. Any helpful info would be nice for to make my decision on which one to go with.

[k9jeff]

I have an 86 flat alumaweld. I does everything I need it to. I take in the bays, columbia (not b-10, i have enough grey hair), run rivers etc..I even pull the kids on tubes in the summer. 115 jet and I also have full canvas, I sure like it alot. I have never played with a northriver, but Im sure they are close to the same. Koffler also has some older flats on the market.
Just find a deal and drive it, if YOU like it, buy it, :grin:
I will keep an eye out and let ya know if I see one around for sale.

Jeff

[Thumper]

Ah, the '86 Alumaweld flattie ...... fond memories indeed ...... My 16 footer wore a 200-hp Merc pump and was scary to corner with! It still sees daily hard (very hard) use from guide Bob Fraker on the Situk and Ahrnklin rivers in and around Yakutat, AK.

All these boats are vastly over-engineered and will give you two or three lifetimes of service.

Fin on this board still slays the fish on a regular basis with his '85 16 footer, 75-hp Merc. Last year he actually got the impeller sharpened, for the first time ever.

I see that Alumaweld is now making the flattie again. It is a design that deserves to be in production forever.

[ZaQ]

What are the advantages of a flat bottom over a v hull? Or vise versa? Thanks.

[Jim]

I know of a flat bottom Alumaweld for sale. I am not sure on the year but it has full brand new canvas and a 115 Evinrude on the back. If you want more details let me know.

Jim

[AnglersRental]

We just had this converstaion... check out this thread...

http://www.ifish.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=015599

UG

[Ed C]

For years I had an old 20ft flat bottom North River with a l50 Merc pump. Most fun I ever had fishing. So reliable. Willamette, Clackamas, Columbia, Tillamook, lakes of all sizes. Then I started fishing Buoy l0 and decided I needed more V. I could do Buoy 10 Ok but it got a little hairy at times. I've been through a couple boats since then and it has all been downhill for me. All kinds of boat and engine troubles. The North River is now being used by an guide in Alaska. It was one solid boat. I have often wished I still had it.

Probably a l9ft Alumaweld with an eleven degree rise is a good compromise and adds a little more flexibility. But, if you are willing to live with certrain limitations in heavy water, that flat bottom is nice for launching, beaching and moving through rapids.

Ed C.

Ed C.

[Grain of Salt]

Warning on older Alumaweld flatbottoms....in am in the process of replacing the bottom on my 87 sea dory...i too thought that it would outlive me, but 15 years and the bottom is swiss cheese, 3/16 thick too....never moored and always washed out after salt trips.....cause is from the stainleess screws holding the salt soaked plywood to the aluminum stringers...instant battery....check those white spots on the bottom, the could go clear thru.....you can email me for more info...its been a real education

[Thumper]

Good point BT. I similarly electrolyzed right through the hull of a 16-ft. Klamath in about 5 years. When I got the Alumaweld flattie the first thing I did was to remove the level flotation, which was expanded polystyrene blocks and really soaks up and holds the sea water.

OK, had I taken too much water I would have sunk like a rock, but I didn't suffer electrolysis. I still take out the level flotation whenever I buy a small boat. But I wear a PFD as sort of a tradeoff.

[ 09-24-2002, 09:23 AM: Message edited by: Thumper ]