Here Is An Aluminum Boat Whose Design And Layout I Like.

[JonBailey]

Unlike most typical aluminum bass boats, this deep-vee type does not have high platforms fore and aft. This boat will ride better on the choppy big lake waters of California as well as other inland waters as reservoirs, navigable rivers and channels, sloughs and the California Delta. This boat should also ride drier than the typical flat bass boat layout. A deep floor means better carrying capacity for bulky items as 2 extra fuel tanks or large fuel cans, a portable loo, a folding toilet tent, a big cooler and a pair of Labrador Retrievers as well a seat for a fishing buddy. 

 

The dogs would be able to carried more securely on a boat with a deep floor than on a high bass fishing platform and allow them to lay down out of the wind. The side console would have a custom stainless steering wheel. 

 

My boat would be used to fish inland waters mainly for trout and lake salmon and to cruise the Sacramento River and other Northern California inland waters. My boat would also be used as an economical day cruiser with a 25-40 HP outboard. I don't bass fish and have no need for the optional electric trolling motor but would have a Garmin Chartplotter/Fishfinder like the GPSMAPS 541 for navigation as the California Delta is a complex maze of bays, rivers, channels and sloughs totaling 700 miles! I would have a Delta paper chart too. 

[Tim Kelly]

Good choice. You might want to look at the Lund Alaskan series too.

[J Francho]

I don't bass fish

Ok?

Nice rig, though. Had a similar rig a decade ago. Was a great for chasing smallies on Lake Ontario.

[JonBailey]

Good choice. You might want to look at the Lund Alaskan series too.

or, perhaps the Lund Fury 1625 SS.

[J Francho]

Does Lund still make the Mr. Pike? Those were cool multi species boat.

[JonBailey]

Does Lund still make the Mr. Pike? Those were cool multi species boat.

Mr. Pike not listed at Lund site.

http://www.lundboats.com/

[J Francho]

http://images.boats.com/resize/1/94/95/129495_0_070320092056_0.jpg

[slonezp]

As far as being better on larger choppy waters, you might be disappointed. At 16' with a 75" beam and dry hull weight of 800lbs, it may not be what you are expecting.

 

I would also look into Lund, Princecraft, Alumacraft, Polarcraft, and Tracker. Some may have features you find appealing as well.

[JonBailey]

As far as being better on larger choppy waters, you might be disappointed. At 16' with a 75" beam and dry hull weight of 800lbs, it may not be what you are expecting.

 

I would also look into Lund, Princecraft, Alumacraft, Polarcraft, and Tracker. Some may have features you find appealing as well.

But it should be the deep-vee "form factor" by design that cuts through waves like a hot knife through butter. 

 

I also must consider the price factor as well. Lund can get pricey. 

 

Here is the Crestliner Kodiak 16 in review. Not a horrible ride at all.

 

[slonezp]

But it should be the deep-vee "form factor" by design that cuts through waves like a hot knife through butter. 

 

I also must consider the price factor as well. Lund can get pricey. 

 

Here is the Crestliner Kodiak 16 in review. Not a horrible ride at all.

 

I own a 20' Lund with the IPS hull. It's a deep v at the bow and flattens out at the stern, more like a modified v. My previous boat was a 17' Mirrocraft deep v. The 17' boat had a dry hull weight 500lbs less than the Lund and the 90hp motor weighed 200lbs less than the 225hp motor. The Lund is 3ft longer and has a wider beam. The longer and wider and heavier the boat, the more comfortable the ride. Lund makes a boat called Barron. It is a true big water boat that is a butter cutter

 

There is nothing wrong with Crestliner. In fact, they are built in the same factory that Lund is. All I am saying is there are deep v's and then there are deep v's. If you think the Kodiak will cut thru anything more than a 2ft chop like butter, you will be disappointed. I realize you have to consider the price factor. I just want you to be aware of what you're getting into.

 

With time behind the wheel, you should be able to safely navigate most of what mother nature throws at you, or at least be smart enough to not go out in the first place.

[JonBailey]

I own a 20' Lund with the IPS hull. It's a deep v at the bow and flattens out at the stern, more like a modified v. My previous boat was a 17' Mirrocraft deep v. The 17' boat had a dry hull weight 500lbs less than the Lund and the 90hp motor weighed 200lbs less than the 225hp motor. The Lund is 3ft longer and has a wider beam. The longer and wider and heavier the boat, the more comfortable the ride. Lund makes a boat called Barron. It is a true big water boat that is a butter cutter

 

There is nothing wrong with Crestliner. In fact, they are built in the same factory that Lund is. All I am saying is there are deep v's and then there are deep v's. If you think the Kodiak will cut thru anything more than a 2ft chop like butter, you will be disappointed. I realize you have to consider the price factor. I just want you to be aware of what you're getting into.

 

With time behind the wheel, you should be able to safely navigate most of what mother nature throws at you, or at least be smart enough to not go out in the first place.

 

Certainly no Lund or Crestliner aluminum boat is for the coastal waters of California or even the san Francisco Bay. The biggest waters I fancy braving in an aluminum boat under 20' is the California Delta and perhaps, Clear Lake, CA or even Lake Berrysessa. 

 

Here is how bad an aluminum boat can get on Berryessa even:

 

This stupid young punk is going rather fast for wind conditions and I can't tell what boat this is.

The boat is probably not trimmed correctly either and certainly lacks the nice dry reverse chine. 

 

When I go aluminum motor boating, I will have the following along for ballast:

 

1. 2 Labrador retrievers

2. a luggable loo

3. big cooler

4. ten gallons of extra fuel

5. possibly another adult

6. a live-well full of water

 

Extra weight on board will help iron out chop. 

 

The Crestliner has an exclusive reverse chine for a dry ride. 

 

It is not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean that causes all the commotion. 

 

 

 

[J Francho]

I think it's funny when marketing departments call a reverse chine, "exclusive." Take a look at the hull of many brands of boats - many have some sort of reverse chine. Both my Xpress, and aluminum mod v pad hull, and my Bullet, a glass riser hull, have some sort of reverse chine. All it does is redirect the water from the wake. What counts is how the hull redirects water when not fully on plane, since that's how you'll be driving when it gets rough.

Funny thing, my Bullet rides better in the rough stuff than my 17' deep v did. However, she's a handful to drive, having 280 hp, and a 21' 10" hull that's only 1300 lbs.

There's a couple of those 20' Lunds around here. They are the fastest in the rough stuff, out of anything under 30'.

But, and this is a big but…it's really all about driver ability. I've been driving boats since I was around 14. At 42, I still get better and learn how to drive in rough water every time I encounter it. That happens quite a bit, living on Lake Ontario.

When you get your boat, be careful. Water is unforgiving, and minor mistakes become critical in a hurry.

Good luck with getting a boat. That Cresty is a sweet ride. My good buddy has an 18' Cresty, and it's a great boat.

[slonezp]

I think it's funny when marketing departments call a reverse chine, "exclusive." Take a look at the hull of many brands of boats - many have some sort of reverse chine. Both my Xpress, and aluminum mod v pad hull, and my Bullet, a glass riser hull, have some sort of reverse chine. All it does is redirect the water from the wake. What counts is how the hull redirects water when not fully on plane, since that's how you'll be driving when it gets rough.

 

The Lund IPS hull is reverse chine as well. And not a totally dry ride for the reason you mentioned. I can soak my co angler with a hard turn starboard in a chop. In the advertisement, it's a dry ride. JonBailey, this is the boat I run

http://youtu.be/8Z0CodkhhZM

[frantzracing0]

That mr pike is awesome. I would love to find one of these.....except im poor haha

[Ernie S]

If you want deep vee big water aluminum take a look at the Duroboat.  It is a boat that was built in the northwest but is now in the east.  They have a 16 that is very light.  It isn't welded or riveted.   It goes pretty fast with 30 or 40 HP and can take rough reservoirs.  The boat is very light very simple to work on and easy to customize.  Lots of examples and some weird fish at their website.  One of the 16s went 6000 miles driven by two girls.  Most used ones are on the west coast but hard to find and hold their value.

[J Francho]

Sounds like they're glued together. It doesn't inspire confidence, though who knows. Jaguars are glued aluminum cars.

[JonBailey]

If you want deep vee big water aluminum take a look at the Duroboat.  It is a boat that was built in the northwest but is now in the east.  They have a 16 that is very light.  It isn't welded or riveted.   It goes pretty fast with 30 or 40 HP and can take rough reservoirs.  The boat is very light very simple to work on and easy to customize.  Lots of examples and some weird fish at their website.  One of the 16s went 6000 miles driven by two girls.  Most used ones are on the west coast but hard to find and hold their value.

Living, fishing and boating northern California inland waters,  I would not be getting into water any bigger than Trinity Lake, Folsom lake, Lake Oroville, Lake Berryessa or Shasta Dam which ever is bigger. My outboard would be limited to 50 HP and so would my cruising speed, say 25 knots tops. I won't boat Lake Tahoe because the altitude is too high for my respiratory health. I am a flat lander and not a mountain man. The Cresty 16 deep-vee should handle freshwater lake chop up to 25 knots. I drive conservatively too not making hard turns and if the water gets too rough due to high winds, there is a procedure called slowing down the boat. The Cresty should also handle the Sacramento River and the California Delta. 

[S Hovanec]

Does Lund still make the Mr. Pike? Those were cool multi species boat.

No they don't. I LOVE mine. Just wish I would have got the 18' instead of the 17'.

[JonBailey]

No they don't. I LOVE mine. Just wish I would have got the 18' instead of the 17'.

Since I will have two big pooches in life vests, portable toilet equipment, extra fuel, and a big cooler,  I had better consider an 18 foot Cresty for some extra space on deck. My 14' Lowe of yore was awfully tight for room. A 50-HP motor should be sufficient.