Duck & fishing boat

[Oldschoolcane]

Trying to come to some conclusions for a fishing and duck hunting boat. Need a good quality semi-v aluminum boat that I can use for duck hunting mainly, with occasional trips to the Whiteriver. Have considered Lund, Seaark and Aumacraft. Here are the models:

http://www.seaarkboats.com/boat.php?measur...mp%3B+Blast+150

http://alumacraft.com/jons_allwelded.html

The Waterfowler - 15 model

http://www.lundboats.com/index.php?page=16...ce1c6b719e46c4e

The WC - 14 model

Does anyone have any advice related to these manufacturers or models?

Thanks,

Tim

[Leitsout]

I too am considering selling my Ranger and buying something more diverse.(Duck hunting, big Mississppi River blue cats, and of course trout, bass and crappie)

I've checked out the Sea Ark and G3. I don't know if I should go with the semi-v or the flat bottom. The G3 is a heck of a boat but only comes center console and flat bottom in their 19' and 20' models. I'm leaning towards the SeaArk though. Flat bottom or semi-v, side console and other good options as well. I'm sure you notice they are made from a bit thicker material too.

[Arkie Farmer]

Here's the sort of rig I'm building nowadays down at my shop. I built this one for a coon hunter. It's a 2072 out of 3/16" 5052 aluminum with a 225 Optimax. It'll run 64 with 4 guys! It's a super-stout, shallow drafting boat. My personal boat is a 2060 tunnel hull out of 3/16" with a 200 Merc -a fast, shallow running (8" water) rig for sure.

Out of the current mega production boats on the market (I'm small-time) I personally like the Sea Ark boats best. They ride good and seem to be a bit tougher than some of the others -this coming from a guy who's had almost a dozen aluminum boats in the last 10 years. The wide ones (72" bottom) even come built out of .125" (1/8")

The difference in ride from mod V to flat is very small. Flats draft shallower too. Remember that a boat shrinks when you put it in water -that is, a 15' hull might look big at the dealership, but seem tiny on the lake. I'd go 16' if you're looking at 15' hulls.