Hello everybody,

I'm having a heck of a time trying to decide between three different makes...... 14' Duroboat, 14' Lund WC, and 13' Smokercraft Alaskan?

Comfort and stability are key points for me.
Places I would like to take the boat would be Lake Washington, calm summer days on Puget Sound and I need to be able to row it on quality small lakes where motors aren't allowed.

I recently test drove a 14' Duroboat with a 15 hs 4stoke Yamaha and marine battery in the back.....I was concerned with how low the back end sat in the water....the smallest waves were breaking over the back end and it was a 20" transom!!

Any input appreciated!!

I would suggest a 14' Gregor. I have a buddy who has owned two of these (sold the first one and regreted it and got another). We use it on Coldwater Lake, Lake Lenore, and we have been out on the sound in it off point defiance. It is an extremely stable boat. He had a 15 horse Honda on the first one and no problems like you described and he is a big guy too. On Coldwater lake you hit some pretty windy days and the boat handles the chop no problem - Electric Motor only allowed on that lake. Good luck, but check out that Gregor. My buddy got both of his used.

I have a 14' Northwood with a 15 Hp Yammie on the back. The boat has a 68" beam and a 20" transom. The Northwood hull is made by Smokercraft. I have been out in some pretty rough weather in MA 11 & 12 and never even questioned the stability of my boat. I don't think I could flip my boat if I wanted to. IMHO, the wider the boat the better. Crestliner makes a 14' boat with a 80" beam.

I owned a 14ft crestliner for many years and had no problems. I had a 20" transom and seldom had problems with waves over the transom and that is with my big carcass sitting back there running the tiller! The wider the beam the better and be warry of the seas and you should be fine. Here is a link to the type of boat I had

http://www.crestliner.com/boat_info/boat_model.asp?BID=132

Tailwalk,

I'm familiar only with the Lund brand, of the boats you mention. I bought a 16' SSV last fall. My decision was based on a couple friends that have Lunds and my past experience using a 14' Lund for years on the job. I think they last forever, which is longer than I'll be needing mine. I used a 25 hp on the 14', and that was a good combination. The SSV is a more recent model, with a shallow vee bottom, and it gives a better ride than the WC when there's any chop on the water - addressing your comfort issue.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

The downside to four strokes is that they are HEAVYYYY. The set up you described will make any of the boats mentioned sit low at the back when you add a 200lb person at the tiller! A 71/2hp - 9hp two stroke is plenty of motor and will weigh considerably less or you can move some of the weight forward to balance the load. I would opt for the lund but if you plan on rowing more often than not the alasken is a much lighter boat.

I have the same question as Tailwalk but I have eliminated them all down to two builders of welded boats.

So what do you guys think about the Klamath vs. the Greggor 14?

I've got a 15 ft Klamath. Nice boat. I have a jet on it. Only downside is they used cheap plywood for the floor and deck which I've been replacing the last few years due to rot. But the hull is fine and it's a dry, safe boat. Even tested the floatability of it on the Cowllitz one year by capsizing, but that's another story (it floated upright filled with water).

Thanks everybody for your input......I really appreciate it. Anyone else who has an opinion please let it be known...good or bad it's all good.

Tight lines
Tailwalk