Smokercraft?

Buck · 07-02-2009, 05:34 AM

I'm considering a change to a lighter weight boat and the smokercraft lodge and sportsman models seem to meet that need. I'd like to mount a small jet and a kicker. Any suggestions or comments on how these boats perform? thanks.

sicboy541 · 07-02-2009, 06:45 AM

I've had a Lodge for about 3 years now. 25HP Yam with 6HP kicker. I regularly fish the coastal rivers and local mtn lakes loaded up with 3 guys + gear w/out probs. Stable solid boat and light enough to be towed by a 4cyl truck.

Mooch · 07-02-2009, 07:26 AM

My brother had a Lodge series for a couple years. He started with a 25 prop but it just wasn't enough for the 16' Lodge and a couple guys. Went to a 40 and the boat performed much better.

I had a 15' Alaskan for a few years . The Smokercrafts are great little boats.

gordy · 07-02-2009, 07:34 AM

Do some measuring first. I have owned two Smokers. Great boats. They wont get whistles and stares of envy at the ramp like a big sled or glitter boat but they fish just fine.
Bad thing about some models is that the space at the transome to put two motors side by side may be limited.
My resorter would have needed a mounting bracket had I wanted to put anything other than a MinnKota on it. And for that I had to rig up a mounting plate to clear the main motor.

kdr1 · 07-02-2009, 08:16 AM

The Lodge is a tremendous boat. It was just a touch heavier than I wanted though and I bought the 15 foot Alaskan Deluxe, with a Honda 15hp on it. Wonderful boat. Most of the folks I fish with have the 16 foot Lodge with a 25hp on it and that is plenty of motor for that boat. The Honda outboard does seem a little stronger than others.

Loneangler · 07-02-2009, 09:26 AM

The new Lodge and its counterpart Tracer (Lodge with consoles) are now almost twice as heavy as the older riveted models. The following is based upon the lighter model. I have a 2003 Tracer with a 40 hp motor for use at the 5000 ft level and that is as low on the hp as I would like to go up here loaded with gear and 2 or 3 people. A 5 or 6 hp kicker will fit fine on the transom with a 40 hp but an 8 hp kicker may need a bracket. We like the boat and get a lot of positive comments about it, even from those with Jetcrafts and such.

Buck · 07-02-2009, 09:51 PM

Why are the new Lodge's heavier? Also, does anyone know if you can order one with a straight transom with room for a small jet and a kicker?

Buck · 07-03-2009, 04:45 AM

One other question: has anyone operated or ridden in a smokercraft outfitted with a jet pump? I'm wondering if the hull design puts a pretty clean shot of water into the pump and prevents cavitation. Thanks.

Loneangler · 07-03-2009, 05:35 PM

The new Smokercraft Lodge and Tracers are heavier gauge aluminum. The new ones are also welded instead of riveted but this does not affect weight. Check out the specs on the new models on a website like Stevens Marine.

Lead Bouncer · 07-04-2009, 10:14 PM

Most of the boats like that, use a plate between the boat and the shoe of the jet. Probably ok with a prop. They also bolt on the big motors and often raise them about the actual stern. Better get some solid advice and measurements.

One shot.

Slayer · 07-06-2009, 08:46 AM

I have an 16 ft. 01 lodge and love it for the most part. I am a big guy and it moves me around easily with a 40 HP but I would not go with any less than that. Been thinking of putting a jet on it too, a 60/40. Saw a guy this weekend with a 15 ft and a 40 jet on it and he was moving around like those expensive boats. Maybe not as fast but definitely w/o any problems.

E4usmc0651 · 07-17-2009, 01:30 PM

I have actually owned both the lodge and the sportsman. I loved both buoats but ended up moving up to an 18' Alumaweld. I had a 15' lodge with a 25 2 stroke on it and it did just fine. 3 adults at about 17 MPH. My Sportsman was the 16' Version (sportsmans are not riveted they are welded) with a 40 hp 4 stroke merc and a 6hp kicker mounted on the back and there was plenty of room on the transom for both motors. The Sportsman with 3 adults would move along at about 38 MPH with the motor trimed out!!!! The modified Vee of the sportsman vs the full vee of the lodge allows you to plane faster and have a higher top end. Of course the sportsman is not quite as pretty but it does a great job. Being that the sportdman is also lighter (compared to the new lodge) I would go with it. It is only about 75 lbs heavier that the older lodges and once again is all weld. I guess it all depends on where you will be using it most and if you are willing to take the extra beeting with the modified Vee.