Alumaweld Sea Dory Pros & Cons

Aufish101 · 12-03-2003, 03:17 PM

I've been looking at boats for a while and like the Alumaweld Sea Dory and was wondering what you all think of them, good or bad.

Thanks for your input,

Aufish101

Hogback · 12-03-2003, 03:49 PM

I have two friends that have them and they are great boats. I'm sure Plug Cut will reply to this post because he is one of the guys that owns one. If he doesn't just post his name and he should reply. He is a fountain of information and an all around nice guy.
Randy

Gun Rod Bow · 12-03-2003, 03:59 PM

I'm sure I'll get in trouble for this too, oh well.

I had one and didn't really like it. They throw spray out front and back on you when on step.

IMO, they were designed to be a combo, rough water/river sled. Didn't do either well.

In chop it'd pound you. Slid like a flat bottom in the river.

I'd recomend a slight vee design like Willie, AW Super Vee, or even a :shocked: NR :shocked:

Hogback · 12-03-2003, 04:16 PM

GRB What kind of boat do you own? I'm just curious not trying to stir the gravy.
Randy

Ty · 12-03-2003, 04:48 PM

We use a 24' sea dory w/ twin 90 merc's and it is a great boat that if very very hard to over load. It tends to be a hand full when empty and the only other draw back is that the welded fuel tanks are in the stern.

This boat will run very shallow loaded and is very manuverable and only limited by your boat driveing skills and not recommened for the fain of heart.

Straydog · 12-03-2003, 05:06 PM

I have had a 17' ft. with a Yamaha 90 for 12 years and love it. The gas tank is in front and it has a console.

The only draw back I have found is that it can get you wet in white water or heavy chop as RGB mentioned.

It fishes great.....tracks well and mine is just the right size for rivers like the Rogue and Umpqua. I have had it in Winchester bay and outside at Brookings with no problems.

I have also overloaded it with camping gear and people and run from well below Agness up to Devils Staircase just below Blossom Bar as well as all of the middle Rogue.

I don't have a problem with water being blown back on plane unless I hit a roller or standing wave. I have tilt and trim and can create very little drag on plane. I have also not had a problem with sliding but use my t and t to manage that as well.

Grain of Salt · 12-03-2003, 06:17 PM

I have the 16 foot version from 1987....replaced the entire bottom in it from the center seat back last december...what a treat......great multipurpose boat, I hunt ducks with it, crab, fish, all the fun stuff...sneak out in the ocean once in a while but have a bigger boat for that...if you get one buy a good rain coat, but that is true of any flat bottom, it is semi vee but not much.....just watch the electrolysis in the older ones...they used nonsealed plywood and stainless screws for the floorboards, once the wood gets salt in it you have a battery, that and the fact that stevens put a splice in the battery cables that leaked current.....feels real strange to take a skilsaw to the bottom of your favorite boat

pearl · 12-03-2003, 06:27 PM

I fished a 16 ft Sea Dory from 1991 when it was new until 2000. I had a 40 HP prop with a tiller on back. It was a very versitle boat. It did get a crack in the hull under the port side seat box which Alumaweld fixed with no questions asked. It also held its value very well. I bought it new for $9100 and sold it 10 years later for $7900.

Aufish101 · 12-03-2003, 07:33 PM

Thanks to everyone for your input. I've always had an open boat, and you always get a little wet in the right conditions. Just thinking about up-grading to a little bigger boat to have a little more room when I go crabbing.

Thanks again,

Aufish101

Reel Fun Fish'n · 12-03-2003, 08:22 PM

I'll second the response fron GRB.
The alumaweld sea dory was my 1st sled if you want to call it that, way too wet of a ride for me. It wouldn't plane with a 100hp under 4500rpm's and slide so bad it was dangerous.
Go with a v-bottom. My 2nd boat was a V_s hull and I never regretted the step up to it.

plugcut · 12-04-2003, 10:30 AM

Well so I guess I have to chime in on this one. I do have an 18' center console Sea Dory it is a 1989 version with a 115 pump. That said it is a very versital boat as stated. I do much of my fishing in Tbay ,clackamas and the columbia. It has worked very well for me. It's stong point is that with 3 guys and gear I can run up the bay in 8" of water most v hulls need at leat 12". If you don't plan on running very shallow water get the VS hull as it will give more control and a little smoother ride. I have friends with both hulls and well, we all think our boats are best. BUT it does have some shorcomings. IT can be a wet ride in the columbia or the ocean and is rough riding in chop. It will slide some in a corner but you get to know it's limits on a turn.I would buy the same boat again.
Hope this helps

Salmon Stryker · 12-05-2003, 07:01 AM

If I were you I would cash in my 401k, keep my little 15 footer for the high lakes, and buy a big 23 foot ocean boat and take all the guy's at work out fishing. :grin: Don't worry about spending your retirement you have the jig making business to fall back on. Besides once the word gets out about your kokanee jigs you'll be rich anyways.

Aufish101 · 12-05-2003, 08:24 AM

SS,

Not shure if I'll give up my 15', I can launch it at wickiup in the sand and not get the van stuck. I would like to have more room when I take someone crabbing. The 15' with six crab pots, there is not a lot of room for people. It's ok after they are set out.

Aufish101

Hey-Bales · 12-05-2003, 02:42 PM

I have a 19ft Alumaweld Sea Dory w/ 150 jet.
I've owned it since it was new in 1990.
It has been a great boat for what it is.
It's got a lot of room with the exception of the center console is a little in the way; a tiller would be better.
It doe's beat you up in rough water such as the columbia but it doe's ok. I have had it the ocean many times and also in the Clackamas and North fork of the Lewis rivers in the middle of July. It will run in very low water.
It is a Pretty versatile boat but it is more of a flat bottom sled than a rough water boat. It is a little slippery on turns but you get used to it. I would buy one again for what I use it for. BUT If you don't intend to run any low water rivers I would buy a V-bottom sled.