smokercraft boat opinions please

greenbuttskunk · 12-05-2003, 10:06 AM

I'm interested in selling my boat and getting into a bigger boat. Found a Smokercraft 19' "salmon addition", but don't know much about them. It has all the features I like, and the style. Anyone out there own one and can tell me how well it's built, performs, etc.
thanks in advance.
GBS

rola76 · 12-05-2003, 10:10 AM

I'm a sled guy, but my dad looked into Smokercraft boats. He's got a Lund, and honestly I don't think there are a whole lot of differences. I believe Lunds are top-quality, but from the looks of Smokercrafts along with all we researched, a good boat for the money. Lots of available features and amenities.

12-05-2003, 10:11 AM

I have thrashed my Smokercraft 14 flatbottom for several years and it appears to be a well built boat. When I went to the factory in Staton they gave me about 5lbs of rivets when I was modifying the hull.

[ 12-05-2003, 11:13 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

fishingfirst · 12-05-2003, 10:16 AM

I think they have the same hull as my Sylvan. Great boats, no regrets at all, handles the Columbia well and also the smaller rivers.

Scott

MacEFL · 12-05-2003, 10:21 AM

I have a 19' Smokercraft Osprey and I really like it. It is wide and stable. A couple of the rivets that hold the glove box popped but other than that I love it. I have a four stroke 115 Merc and it pops right on plane and does a little better than forty GPS on clean water. I do not know about that particular model though. But the workmanship should be fine. IMO

Jeffroe · 12-05-2003, 10:22 AM

Greenbuttskunk-

My dad has owned a smoker craft for 10 years and has never had a problem with it, and I bought a used 19 foot sylvan (exact same boat, made in the same plant) 3 1/2 years ago and can say the same. They are quality boats made in the midwest to handle big lake fishing, so they do quite well on some of the big waters around here.

Jeffroe

greenbuttskunk · 12-05-2003, 10:25 AM

wow! great reports. Thanks guys. I really want a Lund, as it's a bit deeper, but this boat is pretty close. Now I just have to sell the current boat, get this one, add a kicker and it will be "fish on"!

reeldick · 12-05-2003, 10:26 AM

I have several friends in Minnesota that run Smoker Craft boats. They are deep and wide, carry a big load, and take a beating. I owned a Sylvan for a number of years before converting to a sled. Sylvan is the same hull design and I was completely satisfied with the performance of that boat.

FallRiverGuy · 12-05-2003, 10:32 AM

My 1996 16 foot Smokercraft Stilleto is a well built boat. There are a few features that I don't like and would avoid in my next boat. The fuel cell sits in the back of the boat and takes up about 1 foot of the rear of the boat. The boat has room up front for a seat, which I never use, and thus pushes the windshield back resulting in a smaller fishing area behind the windshield. With the fuel cell in the very back, the main motor, kicker, and downriggers all on or near the back, it gets butt heavy and can be hard to get out of the water at higher elevations(read Odell) when I have someone else in the boat with me, even with a 50hp motor.

If I were to get a 18'-20' boat I would look seriously at the Hewescraft Sportsman or the Alumaweld Stryker. They have more fishing room and don't cost "that" much more.

P.S. Are you going to get that boat(and heater) before the 10th of Jan? :grin:

[ 12-05-2003, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: FallRiverGuy ]

FishOrDie · 12-05-2003, 10:40 AM

Hey if you really want to take a look at how they are put together take a trip to stayton. They have a smoker craft/Sylvan assembly shop there. They would be happy to show you around, give them a call! Just a thought.

Later

FOD

Birdnest · 12-05-2003, 10:59 AM

The Duroboat would be my choice. Their seams are held together with a female/female strip that the boat panels act as the male. This has proven to be a great, long lasting system.

Where as the Smokercraft boats are rivet boats and rivets have a tendancy to loosen over time. I am not familar with the "Salmon" verson you are refering to. I think some of their duck boats are welded, is this one?

I screwed up. It is the Duroboat, not Lund with the seem I mentioned...sorry.
Joe

[ 12-06-2003, 09:08 PM: Message edited by: Birdnest ]

CAGEY · 12-05-2003, 03:36 PM

same boat as my sylvan yukon select, i have bashed it good and hard in all kinds of rough water and so far no problems.

Fast Action · 12-05-2003, 03:44 PM

When I was up in Alaska commercial fishing that is all they used for skiffs. They beat those boats to death.

Spinner · 12-05-2003, 04:45 PM

I have a Lund and have had absolutely no trouble with it. Prior to buying my Lund in 1996 I did alot of research and narrowed it down to Smokercraft and Lund. I think the Lund is a little better built, however the new Lund's have kind of funky seating layouts. I am sure you will be more than happy with either boat.

CAPT KUJO · 12-05-2003, 07:49 PM

Brad,

BOTTOM TIME DIVER had a smokercraft. The hull split on him and he took it back to them and they replaced the boat for him under warranty. The 2nd boat did the exact thing, and he he the 2nd boat back again. This time the refunded his money.

He wasn't too impressed, I was impressed they took care of his problems promptly.

CAPT KUJO

blacktail · 12-05-2003, 07:57 PM

Brad,

You should buy my Alumaweld instead. I know for a fact it tows well behind a Tundra

Mike

FROGGY · 12-05-2003, 08:11 PM

I bought a 16' smokercraft osprey a little over a year ago. I have a 60hp 4stroke and 8 hp kicker and it is butt heavy big time. Hind sight I wish I would have bought a little bigger boat.
You cant stand under the top, and the tank area in the rear does suck up alot of room.
I drove by North River to dream the other day and they have a sweet Revenge with windshield ( I believe it was a revenge) for about the same price as my smoker.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda

BOTTOM TIME DIVER · 12-06-2003, 07:22 PM

As kujo stated, they took care of getting my money back to me but could not supply a boat that would not fail.

I have talked to others that have the same hull with the same problems.

good luck!

willametteriveroutlaw · 12-06-2003, 08:10 PM

My neighbor split the hull in his Sylvan as well, the constant pounding of the waves in the columbia did it in.

Perfect Drift · 12-06-2003, 09:08 PM

Been there, done that !!! My vote, never ever buy a riveted boat. Spend a few more dollars and get a riveted boat, even if it's used. Long story but the factory trashed my boat, I mean trashed. Leaks and more leaks, first time out it leaked, factory repair, first time out it leaked worse, third repair, the boat was trashed. They left bare rivets on the painted hull, bent metal and scratchs every where. I will never ever buy anything with their name on it again. The service guy at the factory could give a rip. My boat sat at their plant for 6 weeks the first time and 4 weeks the second. The third time 2 1/2 weeks. Am I still angry, you bet I am. I worked hard for the money to get that boat. Buy a welded boat !

12-06-2003, 09:26 PM

There are plusses and minuses in both welded and riveted hulls. Welds crack and rivets stretch. I can fix both but riveted hulls are easier to work on.

Spoiled Daddy · 12-06-2003, 11:01 PM

I have had two since 1986. I liked them both, but simply outgrew my last Pro Alaskan. I never lost a rivet, except in the seat mounts. They were easily replaced. Neither of mine ever leaked.

At times, I wish I still had the 14' Alaskan for some of the high lakes fishing we do, but... there simply wasn't enough wallet and garage room for two boats.

SD

Dipnet · 12-06-2003, 11:39 PM

We have 2. A 13 year old 15' Alaskan that is moored at Tenmile Lake 6 months out of the year and never leaks a drop. The other is a 2002 16' Osprey and haven't had any leaks in it yet either, after many rough trips on the Columbia and down at Astoria. Have to say we have been very happy with both of them.

Dipnet :grin: