Alumacraft Escape 165 - Need advice for 1st boat

[heavypic]

Hi All - I'm new to the forum and have been searching info on aluminum boats.  I have fished off/on most of my life in and out of boats, and am now fishing regularly with my adult son.  I will mostly be fishing lakes/reservoirs and rivers in Eastern PA (Nocamixon Lake 2.2 sq mi – 20HP limit); Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers), but may travel to fish larger lakes occasionally.  Fishing mostly for bass but looking for a deep-V, multi-purpose/species alum boat and motor for lakes and river fishing with 2, maybe 3 adults on board at 400-550 lbs (no children or skiing).  I’ll be towing with a long-bed, std cab, Ram 1500, 5.7 hemi.  After some research, I'm leaning toward the Alumacraft Escape 165 tiller or SC.  Would like to spend 8K or less on a used boat in good shape this Fall, however I’ve seen a new 2018 Escape 165 tiller with new trailer and Yamaha 20HP for $12.2K (dealer).  Advice/answers to questions sincerely appreciated:

• Opinions on 2014 or later Alumacraft Escape 165 tiller or SC for stated use?

• What size/brand gas motor for safe operation in larger lakes/rivers? (Yamaha, Merc, Suzuki, other?).

• Will a trolling motor alone work on Lake Nocamixon (20 HP limit) if I op for a larger gas motor for other uses?  If so, what brand of trolling motor/power/battery set-up would you recommend for slow trolls, structure-fishing for bass for a full-day and getting back to the launch?

• Advice on brand/model of fish finders?

Apology for all the questions.  I look forward to your advice/replies.  Thanks!

Regards

[slonezp]

Alumacraft makes a fine boat. As far as powering it, research your local dealers, who does good work, and what brand(s) they are certified to work on.

As far as trolling motors on that boat, I'd go with a 24v motor and group 31 batteries.

As far as graphs, I'm a Humminbird guy but Garmin has me thinking.

[Team9nine]

7 hours ago, heavypic said:

Hi All - I'm new to the forum and have been searching info on aluminum boats.  I have fished off/on most of my life in and out of boats, and am now fishing regularly with my adult son.  I will mostly be fishing lakes/reservoirs and rivers in Eastern PA (Nocamixon Lake 2.2 sq mi – 20HP limit); Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers), but may travel to fish larger lakes occasionally.  Fishing mostly for bass but looking for a deep-V, multi-purpose/species alum boat and motor for lakes and river fishing with 2, maybe 3 adults on board at 400-550 lbs (no children or skiing).  I’ll be towing with a long-bed, std cab, Ram 1500, 5.7 hemi.  After some research, I'm leaning toward the Alumacraft Escape 165 tiller or SC.  Would like to spend 8K or less on a used boat in good shape this Fall, however I’ve seen a new 2018 Escape 165 tiller with new trailer and Yamaha 20HP for $12.2K (dealer).  Advice/answers to questions sincerely appreciated:

• Opinions on 2014 or later Alumacraft Escape 165 tiller or SC for stated use?

• What size/brand gas motor for safe operation in larger lakes/rivers? (Yamaha, Merc, Suzuki, other?).

• Will a trolling motor alone work on Lake Nocamixon (20 HP limit) if I op for a larger gas motor for other uses?  If so, what brand of trolling motor/power/battery set-up would you recommend for slow trolls, structure-fishing for bass for a full-day and getting back to the launch?

• Advice on brand/model of fish finders?

Apology for all the questions.  I look forward to your advice/replies.  Thanks!

Regards

I've got a 2015 165 Escape Tiller I bought new...love it  A great platform to fish off of, especially if you're a multi-species angler.

 

Mine is rated for 50hp, I believe, but I run a 40hp Mercury 4-stroke because there are no hp restricted lakes here...well, actually there is one, but it is a 10hp limit. Long story. Will do just over 30 mph with that engine, but can cruise 25 mph all day comfortably without jamming on the motor full bore. Boat is just the right size for overcrowded lakes and all the waves from associated boat traffic. Wouldn't want to go any smaller boat wise.

 

After looking at a map and measuring distance on Nocamixon, I wouldn't want to do it on just a trolling motor. You've got about 3.5 miles in either direction from the boat ramp you could go, and that same distance back if you did. I would base the decision on just how much you fish that lake. If it is going to be your primary lake, or at least half your time is going to be spent there, then I would either go with a larger engine and run a kicker off the back. I have a Mercury 6hp 4-stroke that fits just perfect next to my 40 hp. The other option would be to just go with the 20 hp. Would be a bit underpowered, but well worth it if you plan on fishing that lake a lot. If it will only be a quarter of your trips or less, then I would make do with the troll motor and just realize there will be parts of the lake you simply will not be able to fish due to distance.

 

The standard package troll motor on that boat is a 12v system. I believe I have a 50# MK on mine. You could squeeze two batteries in the front compartment and run a 24v system, but you'll be sacrificing tackle storage space by doing so and adding extra weight to the front of the boat also.

 

Depthfinders: Garmin, Lowrance and H'bird all make great units these days. A lot depends on how you like to fish and how much time you spend offshore. In my case, I'm a dedicated multi-species structure fisherman, so I run 3 units off the back; A H'bird with SI/DI/2D and GPS, a H'bird dedicated DI unit with 2D also, and a small Lowrance with 2D and mapping. You certainly could get by with just a single unit if you spent the money on one of the newer/nicer models, unless you need a second unit for up front on the trolling motor. Again, just depends on what your style is.

 

Think that covers most of your questions. I'll try and get a couple pics posted so you can see most of my setup. Feel free to ask more questions if you have them and I'll try and answer as best I can. 

[Allen Der]

I had a 2010 Alumacraft Lunker 165 SC.  Same hull as the Escape but slightly different layout inside (livewell was on the port side).  It had a 25hp Yamaha 4 stroke.  Topped out at about 18mph and wouldn't get on plane.  A 4 blade prop might have helped get it on plane better.  The escape has a better layout and probably better weight distribution.  If you can live with that it's a good boat. 

 

I traded mine in for a bigger Lund.  You should also consider the Lund Fury, it's narrower so should be faster with a 20hp. I'd also go with a tiller in this size beam boat, it'll seem like a much bigger boat than with a console

[heavypic]

Hey all - Thanks for your time and help. Some good points to think about.  I'll take my time...got a lot to learn.  However, I'm hoping to find a boat in the next few months and catch some Fall fishing.  I'll keeping searching the forum for more info and will likely be back with more questions.

 

Good luck out there...

 

Regards,