I've been looking at some small aluminum crafts lately.
Mostly in the 13-15' range.
I've looked at specs on Lund, Smokercraft, Duroboat and Gregor.
This would mainly be used in the south sound, canal and lakes.

A level floor with a split seat / walk through interior lay-out is what I'd like since we'd mostly be flyfishing out of the boat.

Just looking for likes / dislikes opinions on the boat brands I'm considering and any other brands I should possibly look at.
Thanks for your input.
SF

My favorite boat type is one that is owned by somebody else.

I'd go fully welded, no rivets. Gregor or Klamath are good choices for the salt. Klamath makes a nice little 17' center console bay-runner with walk around access.

I know most of the brands of boats you mentioned....

I had a "custom made boat".....15 1/2 feet, used as a jet boat for 8 years, sold for more than I paid for it AND bought a 17 ', with a 6' bottom...before you jump and buy take a look at the following web site:


http://www.riverwildboats.com/open.html


This builder will build "whatever YOU want".......

I would recommend getting one with as deep a V-hull as you can. I have a 14' Lund and it can be a bitch when it gets choppy in the Sound.

here is my plug for riveted boats...

they are usually made from a lighter gage aluminum and dont require as much HP for the same speeds. also they are typically flatter bottom and have a bit more room than welded boats... but being flatter bottom they don't ride as well in heavier water...

I've had 2 boats in the last 20 years. A 12' welded late 1970's kalamath, and a 14' riveted 1967 hewscraft... I used them both for the same things that you describe. I sold the Klamath and kept the hewescraft...

the klamath rode circles around the hewes, but I was willing to sacrifice ride comfort for fishing room and lightweight. it hauls ass with a 15hp motor and has a ton of room for 3 fishermen. I prefer the lighter weight especially in the canal were there are not a lot of boat ramps. Multiple times a year I'll drop it on the road and slide it down an embankment to launch it (shrimp season when the launch line is a mile long and estuaries where there isn't a launch). it is easy for two guys to push up the bank to load as well...

You didn't say price: http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2015-StabiCraft-1410-Explorer-102363710

I ran a friend's 15ft Duroboat on the Columbia up here. Nice boat. Should work well for you.

Welded is cool.................just sayin.Good luck,

SZ

Wood is cooler.

Valco Gregor Bayrunner and kalamath I believe are all made by hulls. I have a center console Bayrunner that I will never sell. I've fished out of it for 25 years and owned it for about 18. Had two different 28 hp evinrudes on it that were a good fit for a normal human but now have a Honda 50 . I can fish all day running all over bouy10 with another person in it burn less than 4 gallons of gas and stay dry doing it. I have a bigger boat that I use more but still like fishing by myself on the sound and rivers in the Bayrunner. Lots of choices in length width and seat configuration.

Another plug for a riveted boat. People criticize them, but then get in riveted jets and fly all over the country and world. I like Lunds because I know from experience that they take a lot of abuse. I have a Lund 16' SSV which has a slight VEE hull all the way to the transom and rides chop much better than the traditional flat bottom models. Hull weight was 390 lb; the 14' weighs less. Other small boats recommended in this thread cost more than $15,000. My Lund cost $2,800. My outboard motor cost more than twice as much as the boat and trailer it sits on.

I look around at all the boats I might lust after and then remind myself that I have no idea what it is to make monthly boat payments.

Sg

Small + riveted = stay on the dock when it looks like this...




Hey Twitch , just take a guess at how many gay-a$$ videos I had to sift thru when searching YouTube for Eric Martin?

I had a 12' Klamath and found it to be to small to bring another person on it in the South Sound unless it was flat calm. I then bought a 14' Sea Laker which is just a lot more boat. The Klamath did not have a flat sole, but it was aluminum and therfore it was light. The Sea Laker does have a flat sole but it is fiberglass and with it's built in floatation it is heavier than most alluminum boats. I have towed the Sea Laker across the Strait of Juan de Fuca in a typical hot sunny afternoon Westerly with the wind and seas that come with it. It jumped about abit but it stayed right side up, I doubt that the Klamath could have done so.

Boats are like everything, a compromise, to get something you must give something up.

I've crossed the narrows in my 12' Klamath in worse waves than docs video... but that was when I was young and not so bright... On days like that now, I look out my front window and watch the waves while sipping Irish coffee

I have a 14' StarCraft Seafarer. It's riveted and 40 plus years old. Ran it all over South Sound, Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. Had one rivet pop during that time. DIY replacement. It's easy to launch where there is no ramp, or the ramp is sketchy.

14' is a nice size for lowland lakes, but I'd prefer another foot or two for saltwater. Conditions can change quickly on the Sound, and you often have farther to run to get back to the ramp. The Seafarer has a lower transom height and requires a short shaft motor. I'd rather have a taller transom for the ferry wakes and heavier following seas you find on the Sound.

Lastly, three really is a crowd on a 14' boat when you add tackle boxes, poles, gas can, battery box, and a cooler. Size matters.

Not sure if I want to agree with Piper and Salmo or just call Nick an idiot

I watched a brand new Smokercraft, on it's inaugural run, bust up on an oyster beach. I watched from my 36 year old Lund while sitting on the same beach.

Go Lund and be done with it. It will outlast any motor you put on it!

i've owned a couple smoker craft alaskans, and they were great boats that needed little maintenance. never had any trouble with leaks or losing rivets on mine.

i fished puget sound, seiku, the chehalis, and all kinds of lakes with my 13' alaskan powered by a 15hp outboard.

i can see the merits of a welded boat, but if you aren't banging it off rocks on a regular basis i wouldn't sweat it.

I'm primarily a fly guy and had a 16' crestliner canadian for 7 years. It was a good boat and I regret selling it a few years ago when I upgraded.

Couple other random thoughts. If you're buying new or getting a new trolling motor for the bow (something I highly recommend), you may want to look into the systems that offer navigation integration with your chartplotter. Hummin bird has integration with Minnkota and last year motor guide started integrating with Lowrance. Cool stuff that will keep you on the shoreline or kelpline without having to mess with the remote or foot pedal.

Goes without saying, but if you're buying used (or new I suppose), inspect the thru-hull fittings carefully. I never used the baitwell, but after 5 years of using the boat, the nylon fitting for the baitwell drain cracked on the inside of the transom and caused a bad leak. I was lucky to make it back to the dock without beaching my boat. That was the only issue I ever had with the boat. Things can be very tight on a small boat and access for inspection/replacement all the fittings is worth considering when comparing models. Good luck with the purchase.

My 12' Gregor does fine in Mutiny Bay and surrounding waters. I made some floor boards to make it more comfortable to stand up an cast, it has 15 horse Johnson, and it goes pretty darn fast. I have had 2 people in it plus crab gear, I choose my days but never a problem. If is fast an sips fuel

http://www.klamathboats.com/htmlSite/centerConsole.html

As where spending your $$........I've always liked the look of these Bayrunner's