Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

[tayzak15]

Which of these boats should I get? Having a hard time deciding between these 3. Keep in mind I will have a 15hp evinrude motor attached to whichever one I go with. I fish mostly rivers and small lakes, but there it one big lake I fish where the waves can get a little rough roughly 2-3 foot waves but I'm usually off the lake before they build up like that. Also I'm only looking for a 14ft, Im still a student and on a tight budget and my trailer only fits up to a 14. Just upgrading from my original boat that was given to me, but it starting to leak and is a little narrow (only 52-54 inch beam)

WC 12, 14 & 16

Alumacraft : V And T Series : V-14 15

http://www.mirrocraft.com/models/simplyfishing/utilityv/default.aspx
(for this one it would be the 3654 model the first one on the chart)

Hopefully I can gather some good info here thanks for the replies!

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Does that 4 inch difference in the beam make that much of a difference?

 

[richardgreen]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Just my opinion, if buying new go for the V14. Compared to the Lund the Alumacraft has a rear splash try that is important on a 15" transom and no wood on the seats to wear. The third option isn't in the same quality league, something to consider if you plan to keep it a long time. After owning both the old Lund S series and the current Alumacraft V series I think you'd appreciate the wider beam for sure. Good luck with your new boat!

RG

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

I bought a 14 foot V hull tinny for $140 over christmas holidays. buy what you like.

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Yeah I plan on using this boat as my main boat for now then once I graduate I plan on using it as my backlake/river boat for the next 30-40 years after I upgrade to a tournament boat. The mirrocraft seemes intriguing because it has that built in livewell and dry storage compartments.

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

I was just looking, and noticed the 16ft alumacraft is roughly the same weight at the 14 ft lund. Do you think my 15hp motor would push the 16ft alumacraft fine? Im not looking to go superfast as most of the lakes I go on are relatively small and I do a lot of trolling. If I can hit about 20mph that would be fine.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

I think the 16' is too much for the 15 hp, but it should get you on plane if you are in there alone.


My vote is for the Mirrorcraft.

The rear bench seat is better for driving in my opinion.
Also like the flat floor area.
And a big plus for the split center seat, makes moving fore and aft a lot easier.
++ on the dry storage area too.


But, I would never buy any of these boats new, especially if I was a student.


You should be able to buy a used one for about 30% of a new one.

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Yeah, I was planning on looking at used first and if I couldn't find any by spring I would then look for new. I just wished that mirrocraft had a wider beam, but I dont know how much of a difference 4-5 inches would make compared to the other 2.

 

[64osby]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

When I was a student, there wasn't a dime to spare. Unless it was for beer.

You have a boat that works but leaks. What does it take to fix that and use it until you can afford the boat you really want. Or look around and find a used boat that fits your needs and sell the one you have.

Part of the fun of boat ownership is upgrading. You have lots of time for adding to the fleet or satisfying the 2' itch.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

You have lots of time for adding to the fleet or satisfying the 2' itch.

+1 - go easy on yourself financially bud. You'll be in a much better position for getting what you want later if you can be patient.

Welcome aboard.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

This would be very difficult for me as I currantly have a 14' Lund S and a 16' Alumacraft Classic 16. Not sure what the actual difference is between the S and the WC Lunds but I can tell you that the S14 is a very well built boat. The model I have is an S14 DLX which also has a split middle bench seat and a factory flat deck. The one I have also has a side steering console and is rated to a 35hp. Not sure what it is for the tiller version.

The lakes I frequent range from a few hundred acres to just under 1000 acres and the water can get rather ruff at times yet it handles it well. Will also operate very well in water less than 2' deep. The 1st engine I had on it was a 1966 Evinrude 18hp and it did pretty good with 2 people in it. 3 and it would struggle a bit. Another advantage is that this rig pulled easily behind a 4 cylinder Ford Ranger.

As mentioned watch the used market. In my area I see some nice 14' Lunds and Alumacraft SS complete with engine and trailer many times for under $1200.00 and often under a grand!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

I had Alumacrafts of the past when in the molded, round chine hull, and later Mirrorcrafts and Starcrafts. All were good boats but the Alumacraft one piece was the strongest. I had the 12 and 14 footers and once was looking to buy a 16 with a 50 Johnny on it but didn't.....cash strapped.

15 hp is enough on one of those boats to go fishing and get on plane with a good load...couple of folks and gear. The 14 ft had a side mount remote steering and a 33 Johnny which wasn't too much power.

Mark

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

When I was a student, there wasn't a dime to spare. Unless it was for beer.

You have a boat that works but leaks. What does it take to fix that and use it until you can afford the boat you really want. Or look around and find a used boat that fits your needs and sell the one you have.

Part of the fun of boat ownership is upgrading. You have lots of time for adding to the fleet or satisfying the 2' itch.

I do have a dime to spare though haha, Im on the water 4-5 times per week in the summer and I've run into some dangerous situations with the boat I have now(only 52inch beam, 15-20 inches deep). That's why I figured its time for a bit of an upgrade. I dont mind buying new or slightly used because whatever boat I buy I'm going to keep and my back lake/river boat for hopefully 30 years, and when I graduate or a couple years after I graduate then il be looking at the bigger 18 foot lunds,alumacrafts for bigger lakes and tournaments.

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

For what you will spend new can't you find something used a little bigger say 18' with a little more power maybe 40hp that you can clean up just a bit with that extra dime? a

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

that would be a bit big for me, thats why I was looking for 14-16 just to add to my 15hp, sometimes I'm in really shallow water and even times where we have to get out of the boat to push it over rocks to keep going to get into the lake! thats why i've been looking for just the best quality deep and wide barebones 14ft aluminum I can possibly find

 

[southkogs]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

My first boat after I left home was a 14' plastic rowboat (bigger than it sounds) with a 9HP Eska. Picked it up for a couple hundred bucks and fished all over Middle Tennessee in the thing. It was cheap ... didn't bother me too much when we hit rock (which you will fishing some of these rivers) and was a fairly stable boat.

Ugly as ugly can be too.

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Ohh I know, where I fish up in Northern Ontario its pretty common to hit rocks and logs pretty frequently. That why Im looking for the best,strongest possible hull I can get now.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Ohh I know, where I fish up in Northern Ontario its pretty common to hit rocks and logs pretty frequently. That why Im looking for the best,strongest possible hull I can get now.

Then hands down the Alumacraft. Don't know the hull numbers you post, but it's the hull made back in the '50/'70 time frame with the one piece bottom and rounded chine. Had cast alum. handles on the bow and each side of the stern.

Mark

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Really eh? so I guess the mirrocraft is out of the question and everyone is on lund and alumacraft. Im heading to the toronto boat show tommorow, hopefully they have the hulls on display there to help me with my decision.

 

[Streetgang]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

I know a lot of the outfitters wait for the show to make deals on upgrading their boats and motors. Maybe if you check with the boat mfr. you like they can point you to an outfitter who is getting rid of some of his boats and make a good deal.

Just curious what part of the "Great White North" are you from?