My first Boat

wilsonriverfisher · 01-28-2007, 11:18 AM

This week im going to be picking up my first boat Its a 15 foot smokercraft 2006 with a either 9.9 hp or a 15 h.p. Im very new with boats and was wondering what kinda maintenace do you guys usually do after using the boat and motor. Im not a total newb ive been around boats but this is going to be my first owned and I want to keep good care of it. Also tell me about using fish finers and electronic motors without a generator source. Any pointers or boat care things I should know let me know.

Thanks
Mike

viigfish · 01-28-2007, 02:27 PM

If you use it in salt water make sure to run fresh water through the motor afterwards, and a quick rinse of the boat at that time wouldn't hurt either.

RV

RODACTION · 01-28-2007, 03:08 PM

I think one of the most important things to do after a day on the water, is just a good bubble bath.

I wash my boat after each use, sometimes it may look fine, but it gets done anyway, inside and out. (your boat will always look nice and you get to see things up close)

Also, keep up on engine service, check electical connections, making sure they are clean and tight.

Service the trailer wheel bearings, I service mine every six months.

If you see something that looks like it needs attention, do it. Preventive maintenance goes a long way.

RODACTION · 01-28-2007, 03:10 PM

Oh, I forgot.......nice boat !!!!

Have fun with it

Tinman · 01-29-2007, 04:12 PM

I had a similar boat, a 15 foot Bayrunner that I loved...had it for 16 years. I very strongly suggest at least 15 hp, and possibly 25. A 9.9 is a bit underpowered.

Maintenance is simple. Flush the motor with a hose attachment, rinse the boat, motor and trailer.

As for electronics, rig up a lawnmower or motorcycle battery in a nice battery box. It will run a fishfinder, GPS and VHF radio for days without recharging. Just buy a manual charger to charge the battery shoreside.

My boat had a 25 horse Evinrude with rope start and no charger. I caught a lot of fish in that boat. PM if you want to talk

lucky2 · 01-29-2007, 04:22 PM

If you get a motor with electric start they usually come with a built in alternator.

RascallyRabbit · 01-29-2007, 04:37 PM

If I had to choose between the 9.9 HP and 15 HP, I'd go with the 15 HP. If bigger than 15 HP would fit in the budget, I'd go for the largest motor that you can use safely. I went out and checked the Smokercraft website, looks like the 15' Alaskan is rated for 35HP.

Congratulations, and good luck with your new boat, it looks great!

Steve/RR

KChookem · 01-29-2007, 04:51 PM

The following is most important for use in salt water, but is also beneficial with fresh water use.

"Salt Away" or a similar product will remove salt from boat, trailer, and is used to flush the motor. At the same time I'll rinse my reels and lures.

Keep your "zincs" clean. One or more sacrificial anodes will be on the outboard motor, and you may have one or more on the boat. If you use an electrical trolling motor, I would put one on it too.

You will want to grease the zerks on the motor at least once or twice a year. Same with changing the lower gear oil, and if a 4 stroke, the engine oil at least once a year.

Wheel bearings are a must for maintained. If you have something like "Buddy Bearings", go to the manf. Website and read carefully how, and when to check them (a common error is putting too much grease into "Buddy Bearings".) I carry a spare set with me.

Establish a routine for preparing the boat for launch. Once you have a SOP, you will not forget to put in the drain plug, or attach a bow rope, or lift the motor, or forget the PFD, etc., etc.

Electrical wiring and lights, especially on the trailer, can be a nuisance. I use dielectric grease to thoroughly coat my lamp bulbs, socket and all metal parts in the taillight assembly. I coat wires at connections & splices with Liquid Electrical tape. Also look for places where the wire can chaff on things like the frame. I prefer to unplug my lights before backing the trailer into the water.

Carry a few spares, like drain plug, fuses, etc.

Not sure what you want to know about fish finders, but they draw very little electrcity and will operate off many batteries.

Slayer · 01-29-2007, 07:21 PM

One thing I have learned in my infancy of ownership is never underpower if its in your budget. Alot of it will depend on what kind of fishing you are doing and what you might do in the future. A 25 HP would me more adequate for a boat this size, but again what will you be doing? I just bought a used smoker and love it! I think they are a great boat.. Email me if you want and have more questions. Stevens seems like a fair price and their customer service for the most part is great.

KingFisher85 · 01-29-2007, 08:13 PM

I have the same boat and with a 20hp prop, it flew and did well with three guys and gear.
A guy I worked with had the same boat but only the nicer model with floors, storage, etc, boat weighted a little more then mine, he had a 15hp, it did great with three people and gear! Better then what I would of thought.

timinthegorge · 01-30-2007, 02:30 PM

I started out with a 12' sears game fisher with a 4hp in the 1970's. It was woefully underpowered. Then, a 14' alumacraft, with a 25hp, which was marginal. And then a 19' Alumaweld in '02 with a 90-2stroke, which was fine, but again marginal. I replaced it with a 115-4stroke, the boat's max HP, and I couldn't be happier....

Is it better to be running your motor at max rpm's all the time, or have a bigger one that you can run at 3/4 with the same performance?

Always go as big as the CG has certified for your boat, if you can afford it. And a 35hp sounds like top end for your boat. I've NEVER heard anyone say...

"Gosh, I put Too Much motor on my boat."

ICHTHYDEMON · 01-30-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timinthegorge

I started out with a 12' sears game fisher with a 4hp in the 1970's. It was woefully underpowered. Then, a 14' alumacraft, with a 25hp, which was marginal. And then a 19' Alumaweld in '02 with a 90-2stroke, which was fine, but again marginal. I replaced it with a 115-4stroke, the boat's max HP, and I couldn't be happier....

Is it better to be running your motor at max rpm's all the time, or have a bigger one that you can run at 3/4 with the same performance?

Always go as big as the CG has certified for your boat, if you can afford it. And a 35hp sounds like top end for your boat. I've NEVER heard anyone say...

"Gosh, I put Too Much motor on my boat."

A 35 is too much for that boat. It may be rated for it,but its by no means neccesary.

I had a 15' Smokercraft and had a 25hp Yamaha on it. Even with 3 guys and gear it would EASILY get on step and run as fast as it needed to go.

With 2 guys,a 15 would work fine. A 9.9 would be much to small.

Klamath 15 · 01-30-2007, 08:21 PM

15 ft Klamath with the console and floorboads and I love my 25hp. Thought I needed the 35 but satisfied witht the 25. CONGRATS!!!

Kevin

wilsonriverfisher · 01-30-2007, 08:54 PM

I ended up getting a diffrent boat a little bit better one. It has a steering wheel and a 40 hp johnson 1992/1992 15 foot smoekrcraft alaskan pro deluxe. Its a nice boat for my first one an im bringing it home tommorow. I have also taken and passed the boaters exam

Do you guys think this boat is ok to take on the colombia or the willamette? Could I fish for Sturgeon with this boat?

Link to boat ---> Also i paid way less http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/boa/270789738.html

dixiefisher · 01-31-2007, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Could I fish for Sturgeon with this boat?

The boat is set up for it....it already has the quick release for the anchor line.....just get a good columbia river anchor setup....and you could be sittin pretty decent......congrats on the boat!!!!

byebyeducky · 01-31-2007, 12:25 PM

That is a nice boat! I like the openness and it looks like it has some good storage. A 40hp motor I think will work great for it.

If you are interested in a trolling plate, PM me. I'm in Salem though

KingFisher85 · 01-31-2007, 04:08 PM

Looks like a good boat....only problem is that it has a steering wheel

litch dog · 01-31-2007, 06:34 PM

Nice first boat. Mine was a 12' Klama 8h.p. Then came the 14' Valco 25h.p. Merc. Ran like a ***** ape. 25h.p. on your 15' should be great. Just beware of two foot idies. I now have a 22' Hewescraft Searunner And love it. Have fun be safe. I also recomend Coastgaurd Aux. advansted boating class. Its a good class we learned alot. and got our boater safty card to boot.

Walleyer · 01-31-2007, 07:00 PM

Congats on the boat,my first new boat was a 15 ss Alaskan w/ 25hp Merc,my advice would be go with the 35,the 25 was great until you threw in a third person then it was sluggish and took a long time to get on plane,besides that it's a great starter boat,have fun,be safe

24 on/ 48 off · 01-31-2007, 07:24 PM

Ahhh.. memories of my first boat....

First off, congrats on getting it. You now join a long list of ifishers who also own these beautiful, fish-catching holes in the water.

My first boat was a 1964 P-14 Seaswirl with a 35 Evinrude. Stupidity came with my young age. I once took that thing over the Nehalem bar!

Get ready to bonk some chinooks!

--spud--