Springer Trolling / Crabbing Boat Opinions

Beefcake · 01-21-2004, 06:49 AM

Last year I bought a 12' aluminum boat for springer trolling so that I wouldn't have to wrestle with the 19'er every time I wanted to go out by myself. Also used it a couple of times crabbing in the Nehalem and Hood Canal, then sold it in the fall. After a couple of months of night sweats because I missed my little boat, I bought another 12' Smokercraft from Cosmo for the upcoming Springer season. However, I'm thinking I would rather have something in the 14-15' range for more stability with an additional person or when crabbing, so I am considering a quick boat swap. Sorry for the long intro; here is my question:

Has anyone fished from a fiberglass "Livingston" lately? While looking at all of the standard options (Duraboat, Smokercraft, Lowe, G3, etc.), I came across the Livingston dinghy. I think it could work okay for trolling, and it looks great for crabbing (very stable when leaning over the side because of the twin hull design). The 14' Resort model has nice high reinforced sides and metal protective keel strips for beaching the boat. It also has a lot of room inside, but there is a long raised "seat" running the entire length of the middle from front to back because of the hull tunnel.

Any opinions? Could this be a fish and crab killing machine? Would I be shunned by the whole fishing community if I run a tupperware boat? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

Beefcake · 01-21-2004, 07:32 PM

Stop the presses!!! 7,000 fishermen and no opinions?! :grin:

FDB · 01-27-2004, 09:07 AM

Took me awhile for the registration process but i am finally able to respond to your thread you put on here awhile ago. I have a 14ft livingston and it fishes great got a 28hp johnson that puches it around pretty good, have done alot of crabbing out of it (easier to clean than some of the bigger boats). Mine also has a closed bow with a windsheild and top. Been looking at bigger boats and will more than likely be buying one this year but i will still keep the livingston cause its just so darn cheap to run, especially when i am fishing area 11 (almost in my back yard). Not to be longwinded on my first post but the livingston are great little boats for just one and 2 people to fish, but like all boats you have to pick and choose your days. Hope this helps.

husker · 01-27-2004, 09:25 AM

i fished the columbia, willamette and channel for years with a 12' and 18 horse kicker. no problems except and "really" windy days. which is to say more then 30 mph winds. a 14' would have no problems as far i can tell.

BigFishFever · 01-27-2004, 10:28 AM

Beefcake

I used to go with my Gramps out on Hood Canal, and he had either a 12 or 14 foot livingston tri-hull like you are speaking about, and it worked great 3 of us pulling pots on it worked wonderful.
Never did do any fishing out of it though, I dont see why it wouldnt work!

on a side note, how has the crabbing been on Hood Canal recently? I havent been there in about 12 years.

Small Fry · 01-27-2004, 10:42 AM

I went out in the ocean in a 16 foot Livingston this last year I was very impressed with how well it did with three people in it. Very stready boats. Very wide bottoms and I really liked the hull design.

Beefcake · 01-28-2004, 08:21 AM

Thank you all for your opinions. I thought this topic died without notice! I haven't made my final decision, but I am leaning toward giving the Livingston a shot.

Big Fish Fever- We have friends with a house in Tahula(sp?), so we just throw a few pots to screw around when we're there - maybe twice a year. Usually we are just looking for dinner, but last Labor Day, we got 3 limits in about 3 hours using 2 pots and 1 ring. The neighbors all came over for a crab feed and bartered for the leftovers (I think I got a couple bottles of vino and a haircut for about 6 crabs). Big Fun! :smile: