boat question

rob · 02-12-2001, 09:39 PM

A friend and I are talking about getting a duck boat in the future that will also do a little time steelheading.
What are the pros and cons of a flat bottom vs. v-hull?
For steelheading it would probably be on the Skagit and Skykomish. Would a 15 footer be enough boat for 2 guys on these waters?
Thanks.

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 02-13-2001, 06:25 AM

rob, there is one duck hunting website that I've been to that was great. It talked about boats, and such, and even gave dimensions and things of that sort. I suggest you browse and search around. If not just that, find a duck hunting BB and fire away your questions. Too bad I don't remember the URL.

[This message has been edited by hey_yall (edited 02-13-2001).]

willierower · 02-13-2001, 06:52 AM

I fished with Bill Herzog on the Skagit, He used a 14 or 15' flat bottomed smoker craft style boat. It worked fine with 3 guys in it. It had a 40 horse yamaha with a jet. That boat would be a great one for duck hunting as well as fishing.
As for the differences between a flat bottom and a V bottom. The V will ride a little smoother and handle a bit better. It wont run in as shallow of water as the flat bottom.
Crestliner makes a decent semi-V bottom boat. The G-3, I think smokercraft makes them, Would be another one to checkout.
I would go with a jet pump on your motor.
Hope this helps.

rob · 02-13-2001, 08:49 AM

Thanks for the replies. I'm ok with getting a boat for duck hunting, that part I know. But I don't have any experience motoring in fast water. That's the part I needed input on. And yes, we plan to go with a jet.

GoFish · 02-13-2001, 09:49 AM

Flat bottoms will run shallower but are a rougher ride. V's will help smooth out rough water but can't run as shallow. Consider the types of water you will be running in most of the time and pick the bottom that will work best overall. I've got a 6 degree v-hull and the clackamas has been too low for me to try running it most of the winter. Some might say that gofish has a few chicken genes mixed in though.

BigFish · 02-13-2001, 01:36 PM

I have a 16 ft smokercraft flat bottom 4-sale $3800 With a 75hp Merc with currently a prop, but also have the jet pump.

212hjet · 02-13-2001, 02:21 PM

Rob: I don't know the two rivers you are speaking of, but can share a little info from personal expereince and LOTS of hours duck hunting on the river (Snake) with an outboard jet. The questions you need to answer are how many of you will be the MOST you ever take hunting, how many dogs, and how many decoys with weights (will you add goose floaters at some time?) All of these not only weigh a bit (which you can assign weight to and total it up....add about 5% for everything being wet and water in the boat)....but take up a LOT of room. When it gets icy.....add 10%...the best time to hunt!! You also need floor space to boat hunt safely with dogs, buckets, bags, decoys and more decoys gun cases, survival equipment, etc.. I've had a Hewescraft 16'w/ 115 Merc; Duckworth 17' w/200 Yamaha; and 18.5 Wooldridge w/200 Merc....and my partner bought this boat so I still get to use it for my duck and goose hunting as I now have an inboard jet. It was the best by far because of its 10 degree bottom and shallow running ability.
Someone has already explained the difs of flat bottoms and nearly flat bottoms....but if the bottom is no more than 10 degrees....you are only talking a difference of a couple inches on plane. The flat bottom will normally get up on step faster..but again only talking a few feet sooner if the weights are the same. The other advantage of a flatter bottom is that it is easier for one or two people to get on and off the gravel bars at the top and sides of islands as the "V" does not dig in and yo can put weight on the bow and float it up flatter allowing you to get your decoys and stuff closer for set up and pick up.
Go with more power....that way you have a more responsive boat and safer than an a** dragger when you load it up. Whatever you pick in this class you will be able to fish steelhead out of, and you'll be able to put a kicker on it. Watch the weights of the crafts themselves when selecting power. Don't know if the Wooldridge Alaskan or the Extra plus are too much for you....but with the tunnel hull and quality.....these are as good as it gets for all around welded outboard jets in my opinion. I have friends with Alumaweld sleds and they are perfectly happy with their choices. My (old age) experience....I want a top on mine for comfort in the sh***Y weather we have to run in for waterfowl hunting and steelheading. If you need to stay lighter and spend less on power....look to the riveted boats. There are many good ones out there. If you have a question about a brand, post it and you likely will get info from several owners or guys with experience with that brand. If you want to e-mail me for more info, leave me an address and I'll get back to you.

Salmonator · 02-13-2001, 02:50 PM

My first sled was an 18 foot 1980 alumaweld flatbottom with a 115 pump. I welded aluminum tubes for curtain brackets and could cover the entire boat with camo. I think it was the perfect duck boat. If you ever consider hunting more than two people out of the boat I would strongly consider an 18 footer. As mentioned before you have to consider decoys, lots of clothes, thermos's and an 80lb lab. Throw a good solid downpour on top of this and you won't want to be in a small underpowered boat. Also, a center console is almost a must for visibility when you're running in the fog at 2am to get that killer spot. I used to run the Willamette above Peoria years back, boy am I glad I out-grew it lol... Joe

Trout,myster · 02-13-2001, 05:45 PM

If you're going to run rivers, the flat bottom is the way to go. Rivers usually dont' get the chop or rollers that the Columbia does and you'll be in some shallow water at times. With a 16 to 18 foot and a stout jet, you'll be happy with it in fast water. Just avoid the Columbia unless it's flat. As far as I'm concerned, the V-hulls rule out there especially if you get caught in the wind. They have the depth and stability to save your butt.

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Troutmyster

Predator Dawg · 02-14-2001, 05:25 AM

Rob,

I ran a 14' Crestliner jon w/ a Mariner 40, 30 at the pump, for years. We hunted the Columbia as well as little ponds with it. Steelhead fished the Cowlitz, Sky, Skagit numerous times. Most versatile boat I've been in.

You will learn your comfort levels with a boat this size and learn when not to push it in bad conditions. There were times on the Columbia I was wishing I had a bigger ride, but overall it worked great. Could hunt 3 guys and my lab no problem.

The website about duck boats mentioned above is www.duckboats.net .

One thing. My boat was riveted. I highly recommend the few extra dollars for a welded. It will cut down on bailing immensely as time goes on. You know how it is duckhunting. You pull into shore in the fog and T-bone a rock. The rivets aren't happy when this happens. Feel free to email me if you have some other questions.

Steve

Beer Waggin · 02-14-2001, 06:26 AM

I have a 16' Alumaweld (I hate that word) flatbottom that I duck hunt out of. It's actually my little brothers boat. Fun little boat with three of us in it. Any more than three and you end up tipping the scales a bit. I like it because we can stick it anywhere we want to. Throw out the dec's, get some speed, tip up the outboard and run it up in the weeds. Whenever we get ducks in the water one guy just gets out a pushes the boat out of the weeds. Flat bottom makes the push very easy.