A salty dog here trying to learn about aluminum boats. Gotta a few questions on sleds for the sweet water brethren.
Been eying used Alumaweld Vee Sleds on & off the last few years. Look like a solid, safe platform for a fair price for CR and CR trib type fishing, not mentioning the coastal bay fall fishing also.

Center console vs tiller is a non-issue. I'm concerned most with learning about their hull design positive and negative attributes from folks who fish the CR area.
I'd likely re-power with a tiller o/b anyhow to open up space if a CC model came way way. Not afraid to take on boat projects. Wouldn't be the first one.

My questions:

#1) Is say, a 17' to 20' alumaweld Vee sled a good hull for CR fishing, CR anchoring and say running and backtrolling / sidedrifting CR trib's?

#2) What hull currently made by Alumaweld or other aluminum boat manufacturers closely resemble the Vee Sled Hull?

#3) Could the addition of a adjustable level jack plate on the transom accommodate a tiller mounted outboard for both prop and Jet drives ?

#4) Any common weather conditions that the Vee Sled just doesn't cut it in? I.e. chop etc...

#5) Draft ? How shallow will she go w/ jet drive?

Figure a sled could really open up some new exciting new opportunities for my sons and myself. Love the Puget Sound but need some new territory to explore with my kids.

Fish On,
Lofty

#1 18-20' Super V is a very good "production" boat. They've got different models depending on the type of options (i.e. money) that you'd like in the boat.

#2 Super V, Willie Predator (great boat also) or Raptor (haven't ran one of those), Wooldridge, and various smaller size boat builders

#3 Yes, they do it all the time

#4 I've seen open sleds at Astoria in all the types of slop-n-chop that can be experienced on the Big C.

#5 6" on step..I know they'll go shallower but I get a little nervous when it's shallower than that, especially when I'm not sure how much water is ahead of me

Lots of guys here know more than I. You'll get some good responses. You could also call 3Rivers Marine and they'd answer all the questiosn for you.

You can't go wrong with an alumaweld, they have been building sleds as long as anyone and haven't changed their hulls much for years. I have an 18ft super vee and I love it, I will go bigger someday but for now it works good. A lot of my friends own super vees and from what I know they all will work great in the big water but for some reason when it comes to free drifting everyone says buy an 18 or 23 ft the others don't float quite right. I would guess the right motor would make all the difference in those boats. But with any open sled you will need raingear in rough water even if its sunny out. Someday's I've stayed out longer than anyone at astoria because the boat feels pretty stable but than you finally call it quits and wish you would have left earlier. I've ran mine in little as 4in of water but thats the point when you skip a little.Nothin wrong with a little love tap though. Call 3 rivers for the whole story.

I love my 18' super vee. Powered by 115hp/80 Yamaha 4 stroke jet, paired with a F-8 Yamaha 4 stroke kicker (LS and just clamped & secured to transom regular) and for low water stealth a 24V/80lb thrust electic as an option. Ideal for 2 adult fishermen but will fish 3 comfortably. Any more than 3 adults and your'e better off with a 20' hull or larger & appropriate power.

Out fitted for the Columbia with the proper anchor system, a can type system for the Columbia tribs or other rivers like Sky-Snoq. It gets a lot of use in saltwater estuary fisheries and good for my close to home water; Elliott Bay king season. Has performed well in the Columbia for spring & summer salmon. I have owned several fishing boats but other than wide open water (Westport-Straits-Puget sound if it kicks up) this boat is as close to fulfilling my all around needs for fishing; not water skiing, tubing, taking the wife for a cruise but FISHING- Lake WA, other lakes, rivers and salt water bays/estuaries.
For chop-2.5' wave action is ok, but not ok for big waves-swells but depends on your boat handling skills, never had a problem and have come back in water conditions that had a high pucker factor. I choose not to run across Puget Sound if I don't have too.
I have run 8" in rivers but only knowing that there are no rocks taking up 4" of that eight. I try to keep it running in 12" or more and only on plane at that shallow depth. Prefer to set down off plane in 2' or more of river depth.
The Super Vee hull Sidedrifts, freedrifts, boon dogs and tracks extremely well for pulling plugs or diver-baits. With just me in the sled (often fish alone & w/125lb choc lab Bogie) that hull flies along with the current power plant! I have added addtional cushioning for my old feet via a commercial perforated, non-slip area mat placed on the sled's floor; would recommend that addition to anyone. This year, I outfitted my open tiller sled with a custom top designed for a tiller sled. The top was done by Superior Top in Longview, WA. heck of a nice fella and great quality work too. Wish I'd had gotten the special top a few years ago. It has been ideal for some of those nasty weather springer trips this spring on the Columbia.

I had several drift boats over the last 30 years and handling a drift boat on a moving river will definitely give you a good feel for the river & its water hydraulics when running a sled. T-O-W invaluable.

3 Rivers Marine took care of me 5 years ago and I'd buy from that fine group of active fishermen again when the need arises.

Now tell us how you really feel. Honestly, do you like that boat or what?

Don't know if you can trust ANYONE running one of those SuperVee's.

I feel married to it, but the sleds a true silent partner...unless screaming along at 80% throttle. Thank goodness for 4 stroke outboards, a little quieter.

You know what they say: if it has t-ts, tires or props, gonna have some kind of trouble sooner or later.

I really liked the North River Scout series at the time shopping for a sled. but I was treated so rudely at the NR Dealer/Factory store that I left and went home to my familiarity with Alumaweld.

The Alumaweld Vee Sled and a Super Vee are two different boats.

The " Vee Sled" was Alumawelds first mass produced vee hull boat, they were produced by the Alumaweld factory until '1993 and was replaced by the "Super Vee " which began production in '1991.

Some differences between the two, take a 20' footer, the "Vee Sled" has a squared off bow, 66" wide 6 degree bottom, where the "Super Vee" has a pointed bow, 72" wide 6 or 10 degree bottom.

Lofty,
Hey I run a 20ft Super V with a 6 degree V (LT Model) and would not ever want to own a different boat...maybe a bigger one someday though. If you are looking for an open tiller controlled alumaweld there are 3 models out there to pay attention to. Alumaweld makes a 17' and a 19' open boat with a 10' degree hull called the Alumaweld LS. This hull is great for both jets or props and does a decent job of cutting through some chop. This boat is not going to track in the tribs as well as the LT Model though. The LT is built in an 18' and a 20' and holds a 6 degree V which allows you to go shallow and track like a dream....especially with the forward step gas tank that balances out the boat. I've had my boat in 4 inches of water and it performs flawlessly every time. If you are thinking of something bigger...then you will be getting into what Alumaweld calls their Super Vee Pro's where custom orders are more common so you might find a 23 footer with a 10 degree bottom or a 25 footer with a 6 degree bottom. My advice is to figure out exactly what it is that you want and then find it and buy it. Good luck and 3 Rivers Marine will take care of you if you decide to visit them.

Rapid Robert:
Hey thanks for differentiating the two models. You caught that. It looks like everyone else was thinking the newer Super V models etc.... It's no big deal but I am interested in the older model to get going for less cash outta pocket outta the gate.


Yes, I'm interested in the used Vee Sled models. It would be a good price point. It's older. Older is less money. Re-power and I got a good boat at a great price. At least that's one plan I'm considering. I dont rush into boat purchases any more. Been dissapointed on supposed top name brand hull design in the past (saltwater fiberglass hulls). So I'm trying to gain some info prior to purchasing.

Anyone out there able to answer questions 1 - 5 based on the Vee Sled (pre- Super V hull) and not the Super Vee?

How does the Vee Sled perform? Does the cut squared off bow affect hull performance compared to a Super V ? Or does the squared off bow simply stay outta the water and a non-factor in hull ride and performance?

Basically would like to know the difference performance wise between the Super V and the Vee Sled.

18' model would be about right.

FISH ON!
Lofty

Love my 2004 18' LT.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Call Rivers and ask for Brian.

Lofty,
If you are really that concerned with performance...I would recommend a Super V. If you fish a lot and want your boat to perform so you don't have to constantly babysit the boat, go for the Super V. They are wider, more confortable, more stable, and quite affordable given the condition of the boating market. I have seen way to many people get into a boat that soon regret their purchase and want a different boat.

I am happy with my 20ft Super Vee

anchors fine in big water Fraser with the hook and sled anchor for Skagy and waters. Excellent for Sidedrifting, pullin plugs. I have the SportJet 175Merc. (its a lil loud)-center console. The transom could use a lil drop so my kicker (yamaha T8 xl) still will cavitate. I will pucker in less than a ft but have made it in less than that. It is a very safe boat if you have kids--they can walk around as it has much room for fishin.

thats all I have to say about that

The only thing I'd say having run several 6 degree sleds, including super vees, is that shallow degree boats will beat you up in mildly choppy water almost like a flat bottom. I think that's why you see more and more CR guides going to variable degree boats like the Raptor.

Now, if you want to fish the tribs and not just the Columbia, a 6 or 10 degree boat is likely a necessary compromise. But if you're mostly interested in big water fishing and want a more comfortable ride I'd look for a deeper hull design - 12 degree or better. But to find something like that in an older hull, you'd probably be limited to mostly foward helm boats which would be an even bigger boat project.

I agree with NW---I meant to make that comment when out on the Sound--if ya want to RUN and there is chop the lack of V and weight =BAM BAM Bouncy ride

nice work guys . appreciate it !
Now time to save some brickles ... not sure if the wife got that memo yet though!? doh!

I had a 18' Skagit style flat bottom witha full 6' bottom and a side console built back in 1984, still have it and would not trade it for any model. We call it the floating dock, 5 people can stand on one side and it lays pretty flat. Tracks great, goes in a few inches of water floating and slides around corners like a hydro!
Got to get used to that!
Heavy chop is the only time I have to slow down just to save my kidneys.
Once in awhile you will see one for sale around Mt. Vernon area.