sled bottom design question???

mitch184 · 01-09-2009, 09:36 PM

So I'm still in the process of trying to pick a new a new sled and had a few questions about sled bottoms for those with more experience.

The first deals with bottom/lifting/planing strakes. I know Alumaweld makes a big deal about their patent lifting strakes. Just wondering what companies incorporate lifting strakes in their hull. Specifically Willie predator. The sled I have now tracks like a drunk pig on ice and I want the next to track effortless while free drifting, backtrolling, trolling and on anchor. Still trying to decide on the 5-6 degree or 10 degree hull, but thats another story maybe someone would care to shed some like on.

The other deals with a regular v, semi-v, delta pad and tunnel. I know Wooldridge, Willie and North River offer a tunnel for sure. I've seen Thorbuilt offers a V hull and semi-V full. I was just curious what the difference between a semi-v and a delta pad and who offers the delta pad? Still thinking tunnel right now, but the delta pad is looking better and better.

Just trying to gain some knowledge from those with experience.

thanks

Rubber Boot · 01-10-2009, 01:42 PM

I have an Alumaweld suppervee Lt. It trams better than a drunken slug.....but only a little better...Not as good as advertised.

Lead Bouncer · 01-10-2009, 08:15 PM

Ive been told that flat bottom sleds track better than the rest. A 5-6 degree bottom wont track as well, but offers better turning and a little softer ride. Now thats all river oriented. If you go mostly salt, you want a deeper v hull.

Everything else is subjective to your preference.

oregun8 · 01-10-2009, 10:02 PM

I got my first Boat last year. I went with the Rogue Jet because of the way Bruce builds his boats ( Bruce Wassom formally owned Jetcraft with Boulten.) It handled the best out of all the boats I tried. I could not get it to slide out on a turn. I could try to muttle my way threw with the way he designs his boats, but it might be best to ask him yourself. I have his number and e-mail if you like. Siglers carrys his boats, but Bruce is good people and very accommodating.

WaterDog · 01-11-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitch184

So I'm still in the process of trying to pick a new a new sled and had a few questions about sled bottoms for those with more experience.

The first deals with bottom/lifting/planing strakes. I know Alumaweld makes a big deal about their patent lifting strakes. Just wondering what companies incorporate lifting strakes in their hull. Specifically Willie predator. The sled I have now tracks like a drunk pig on ice and I want the next to track effortless while free drifting, backtrolling, trolling and on anchor. Still trying to decide on the 5-6 degree or 10 degree hull, but thats another story maybe someone would care to shed some like on.

The other deals with a regular v, semi-v, delta pad and tunnel. I know Wooldridge, Willie and North River offer a tunnel for sure. I've seen Thorbuilt offers a V hull and semi-V full. I was just curious what the difference between a semi-v and a delta pad and who offers the delta pad? Still thinking tunnel right now, but the delta pad is looking better and better.

Just trying to gain some knowledge from those with experience.

thanks

Most use strakes now days. They help with lift and cornering. Strakes keep the boat from sliding out from under you in a tight turn and doing a 180. You can still "cowboy" but it takes more effort. A boat can be over straked and cause "chine walking". This usually means there is too much lift in the aft of the boat in a turn.

The traditional detla pad is great for all around use. It will still run shallow and it will pack a good load. My 11deg delta will run in under 4" and starts to tic at 3 or so. Just know that all delta pad hulls are not created equal. Some pads are faily short, say 4 feet and others are longer.

Drive as many boats as you can.

cmb1998 · 01-11-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterDog

Most use strakes now days. They help with lift and cornering. Strakes keep the boat from sliding out from under you in a tight turn and doing a 180. You can still "cowboy" but it takes more effort. A boat can be over straked and cause "chine walking". This usually means there is too much lift in the aft of the boat in a turn.

The traditional detla pad is great for all around use. It will still run shallow and it will pack a good load. My 11deg delta will run in under 4" and starts to tic at 3 or so. Just know that all delta pad hulls are not created equal. Some pads are faily short, say 4 feet and others are longer.

Drive as many boats as you can.

I have a 20ft TJ Luxor. It tracks very well. I have a buddy with a Motion Marine and his doesn't track nearly as nice. If you want to go for a ride sometime send me a PM

Later,

Chris

Flatfish · 01-15-2009, 08:01 AM

Every serious river fisherman I know has a Willie, Koffler, or Thor Built.

Somehow, I don't think this is an accident.

sidewinder · 01-17-2009, 11:37 AM

Get one with a 1/2" bottom.

alanmikkelsen · 01-17-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatfish

Every serious river fisherman I know has a Willie, Koffler, or Thor Built.

Somehow, I don't think this is an accident.

Pretty bold statement.....not sure if you're serious or not.....

Those are all good boats and I would be happy to own anyone of them. But I'm also totally pleased with my 18' Alumaweld, I fish the Clearwater and Snake River probably 40+ days per year with my open sled. I've never seen a Thorbuilt on these rivers, very few Kofflers and a few more Willies. By an overwhelming number, Alumaweld rules the roost on these rivers and some of us are pretty serious fishermen. 99 percent of my fishing is side drifting.

Flatfish · 01-17-2009, 09:05 PM

Alan,

Different locations. Different dealer availabilities.

Around here, the ultimate shallow water hulls are listed in my first post.

I am not a big time shallow water guy. The folks I know who are all run these hulls. They number close to 20 owners in all. All of these folks have owned several brands of sleds. Yet they all seem to arrive at the same basic conclusion.

This is not a slam to any of the makes. If you go up the Snake, you will see an entirely different breed of animal. If you go to the ocean the parameters change again. Different locations have different requirements.

OB1 · 01-22-2009, 07:21 AM

Is Thor still around?
If so do they have a website?
Thanks

djsmith46 · 02-02-2010, 09:07 PM

Thor built is still around. I just spoke to Mike Sexton (owner) on the phone tonight. I am looking into Thor built as a possibility for my next boat.

backlash · 02-02-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatfish

Every serious river fisherman I know has a Willie, Koffler, or Thor Built.

Somehow, I don't think this is an accident.

Really?

djsmith46 · 02-02-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backlash

Really?

I was kind of thinking the same thing. I actually see a lot of serious fishermen in Smokercrafts and Jon boats. Including Clancy Holt.

Smokerjet · 02-03-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsmith46

I was kind of thinking the same thing. I actually see a lot of serious fishermen in Smokercrafts and Jon boats. Including Clancy Holt.

i am having to take my smokercraft back to the factory to get the bottom welded for the second time since it was new,and it has never hit anything

djsmith46 · 02-03-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokerjet

i am having to take my smokercraft back to the factory to get the bottom welded for the second time since it was new,and it has never hit anything

I wasn't endorsing Smokercraft. I was simply stating that serious fishermen use them. The make of your boat doesn't determing whether or not you're a serious fishermen like someone here implied. Clancy Holt is one of the most respected fishermen in the state and he uses a 16 foot Smokercraft on the Chehalis system.

edgerat · 02-03-2010, 07:43 PM

If you want the best tracking, shallow'ist running sled around get a Thor-Built. Our 17x66 floats in about 8" of water and will run in 3" of water on step. It is also simply the nicest free-drifting boat there is. When you have one of the most experience free-drifting guides out there building the boat you had better believe it is going to work. Mike is building two 17's right now if anyone is interested

Isaac