Question for East Coast Alloy owners????????

#1

Disclaimer: This is not a East Vrs. West debate or in anyway competitive.

Recent events has made me wonder????

I have been trying to get a bunch of West coast aluminum boat owners together in a meet and greet in a relatively small area but highly populated (So Cal who would have thought that.) So I started looking for aluminum boat owners. I am finding them everywhere. Getting everyone to show. Anyones guess??? Responce though has been coming along.

On the East Coast is there a strong contingent of Alloy owners? Gulf States? When you are at the dock do people come up and say wow? What is the general responce? Especially interested in what non-alloy owners think (not the go fast crowd but fellow fishermen). Do they say it lacks certain ammenities, structural integrity or any negative attributes ? When I see the Xiao Mu Ji I'm always thinking hard core fishermen must be lining up to get one. The Pacificskiff/Blacklabs seem to have alot of guides using them... My theory is guides have the right stuff... the best stuff....... I Want one!!!!!!!! Please post up.

Thanks Mark

#2

Hey Mark,

I always get people coming up and checking out my battleship girl, the comments and quaestions are always fun to answer. Is that stainless?, is that a military ship?, is that metal? Don't you have to worry about electrolisis? etc., etc., etc.

But then as I start to answer the questions and they see the tackle and operation, they understand we are duranged and serious about fishing.

There is not a lot of alloy boats around Long Island yet. In fact, three years ago there was 23' Pacific in my marina, but just for one season. Other than that not there is only one other 45' White Striker alloy boat that doesn't fish much.

If someone is really interested and talking about maybe buying one, I give them a eye popping tour. THen you get the real WOW! effect. I wish there were more guys around to get together and chat. Marty

#3

Thanks for the reply Marty. I always get a kick out of your trolling pattern. Seems like everything you do is top notch......and extreme.

Cool moose hunt with the recurve... you could have jumped out and speared that bull. I have been trying to get a Arizona trophy Elk hunt with bow for years (it's a luck of the draw and points system)

Beach wagons.

And of course the Xiao Mu Ji

Still the question is what do the non-alloy hardcore fishermen think and why so reticent on the alloy?

Thanks again
Mark

#4

Mojomizer,

Thanks for the kind words!

I leave Wed. morning for my Montana Traditional Bow Spot and Stalk Black Bear hunt. Can't WAIT!

As for as the feeling of what non-alloy guys think, I think my girl has been changing attitudes at least around the canyons I visit. When they see my rig run, the range and places I go, the sytle and comfort and the catches I bring in, well.... The only thing I think most East coasters think is Aluminum and electrolisis....UNEDUCATED in alloy! Whenever a Gulf Coasty seas my boat it a whole other conversation.

TO me in the Northeast in their non-alloy boats (downeasters/go fast/sporties) who do not have a pilot house cabin is not for me. Fishing in waters that we fish in... ALLOY makes perfect sense...I think the safety that my rig gives with her 5/16" bottom plates, three watertight bulk heads and eight "T" stringes and all the welding to a 1/2" Keel far outweights any glass boat features.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BLM26CC · #5

I get people thinking it's HOT, that's all they see and care about when looking at me . And I'm a wack job for owning such a tough boat.

But then at the same times look harder and know, I AM NOT PLAYING.

I DO NOT PLAY FISH. No tournaments, nothing. R&D always.

WORK. Work hard and cheaply.

Florida people are ignorant as all hell....the world revolves around go fast penis extenders, for the ones with means, and if not that.......cheap boats.

Once they are on my boat they freak the hell out.

And my boats about as simple as they come. Compared to a cabin or super top though. And they have no idea, what Plate Alloy is capable of.

I mentioned this before, but I have a UPS man friend that went to New Zealand for a month to visit some distant cousin...he said to me, "They are like you Dave, back in the old days with a lot of the aluminum boats down there." Need I say more.....?

I have Tom north of me, but there is NO contigent of owners here at all in my area. Unless ya wanna talk, jon-boats.

I was really hoping, because I could use a "bird dog" fee every once in awhile to offset my bad habits.

gandrfab · #6

Unless ya wanna talk jon-boats.

Hay,I resemble that remark

for now

#7

As Jettywolf said, I'm a few miles north of him and I also get a lot of questions. The best quote was from a local "good ol boy" who said "That is one hell of a jon boat you got there, Tom".

Most people like the low maintenance but are concerned with the potential for hot decks etc. They are also impressed with the 2.5 to 3 mpg I get cruising at 30 knots. Come to think of it, that is why I bought it; low maintenance and good fuel economy along with battleship toughness.

#8

Re: West Coast

I got stopped at the marina as I was taking my boat home to tinker. The guys were washing their alloy bayrunner, and had never heard of a Pacific before. They asked about pricing, top speed, where are they made, etc. I was a little suprised that they were not aware of Pacific boats...them owning an alloy boat and all.

I have several neighbors who boat and/or fish. They have all climbed aboard - invited or not! - and are very impressed with all aspects of the boat.

#9

Dave , go see Kenny and get some info. to carry with you , I keep mine in a brief case in the truck.

Julie will also send you a packet full of info.

#10

Hey S L Dave,

What"s a FOO FOO BOAT

I gotta know!

#11

hahaha...

A "foo foo boat" is everything that Jettywolf hates!!

Basically a boat that has all the little comfort thingies that were designed to appeal to the wife so she will let you buy it.

See you tomorrow on the water Scott?

#12

Most people I take fishing are quiet but commit when I ask them to go fishing. I think they have second thoughts about the boat, the HP I run..........just inexperience/knowledge of alloy boats.

At the end of the day (with a big smile on their face) they ask me what we burned for fuel, and can't believe the ease of hosing her off and we're done..........

To the point that I've even caught one of the guys I took on Jay's web site the next morning looking at boats :lol:

Safe, deep, easy to maintain, low HP, fuel efficient, easy to trailer, easy on/off the trailer............it's all I need

http://www.youtube.com/user/BLM26CC · #13

S L Dave wrote,

"I was a little suprised that they were not aware of Pacific boats...them owning an alloy boat and all."......WOW!!!!!!!

So you have CAVE DWELLERS in Alloy Land? Can ya imagine that?

#14

Jetty at least they were fishing with an alloy boat. Those bayrunners can get 10+ mpg. The question for S L Dave is did he push AAB's site also????

#15

Jettywolf, could be some bad smoke had them messed up........

S L Dave, spread the word and have Pacific paper work in hand.....

Mojo, GREAT call on S L Dave to spread the word.........

:lol:

#16

Alloytoy thanks for the reply. Seems that their is a good group of alloy friends up in the North East. Keep up with the education of non-alloys. Hey do those Stellwagon cod (hope I spelled that right) pull drag. Looks like fun dropping jigs on them.

I get confused, people fly in aluminum alloy jets...... drive with aluminum engine blocks...... aluminum mag wheels...... mountain bikes ...... truckers haul aluminum containers.... High pressure aluminum air tanks for firemen and divers. Yet they second guess aluminum alloy boats.

Keep up the good fishing and education of non-alloys.

Mark

http://www.youtube.com/user/BLM26CC · #17

Mojo,

It's all because of the saltwater!

Last Monday a charter customers first words out of his mouth was,
"doesn't this boat just corode away".

Yeah, man goes to the moon, space ships and vehicles land on Mars in giant ballons, and people still think that the science of METALS is still back in the Iron age, and call me "Conan the fisherman". (but that was just on a Hollywood sound stage, hahahah)

Hmmm, those titanium fishing leaders don't kink, don't corode, and can be wrenched around a concrete piling, but "aluminum" is just that ole jon-boat or buttweiser can.

I like Guinness, in glass. And my boats Plate Alloy.

#18

mojo, the larger cod will pull drag but have yet to find them yet this season..........i'll keep ya posted

coast2coast · #19

The biggest reaction I have gotten so far is from the Coast Guard. I have been stopped twice on the York River, once near the Naval Weapons Station near the mouth of the river, and once just out from my house. There was a Navy ship getting new weapons at the Weapons Station and I was at least 1000 yards from the ship, but the Coast Guard chased me down then escorted me out of the area. He had next to nothing to say to me, just wanted to make sure I was gone. I think the boat freaked him out, but when he got close enough to see my wife and me he calmed down.

The second time I was trolling in the river near my house and I saw the Coast Guard coming straight at me from about 2 miles away. He hailed us and told me to keep trolling, that he would pull along side. He came withing about 25 feet then just ran parallel to us, and did a very cursory inspection without even boarding - "Show your life jackets", "hold up your fire extinguisher" etc. Then he just started asking about the boat - what kind is it, where did it come from, what's it made of, where do you put in, what's it doing on the East Coast, etc., etc, etc. After getting all the scoop he just wished us well and good luck and took off. I think the stop was more out of curiosity about the boat than about doing an inspection.

I also keep getting told by a my son's father-in-law, who knows EVERYTHING about ALL boats according to him, how hot it's going to be, how I'll be able to fry eggs on the roof, that these boats are on the West Coast and not on the East Coast for a reason, and with 100's of boat builders within a few hours drive of the Chesapeake Bay, why on earth did I need to go to Seattle to get a boat that should be left in Alaska anyway!

The boat activity is just starting to crank up here for the season, so I'm sure I'll be getting a lot more reactions as the season progresses.

#20

John, those Harbercraft's look like one sweet ride. Just as pretty as the sunset over the docks. I bet ,near that naval weapons station, the aluminum alloy lit up the navies radar like a Christmas Tree in August.

After you take your son's father in law out fishing he will sing another tune. I would like to hear that story when it happens.

Great to hear that the season is starting to kick in for you. I always admire a person who does their homework and slices out a piece of heaven. Beautiful area you live in......... great boat.

Thankyou for your post
Mark

#21

My boat was made up in the NW. I couldn't find anything that met my requirements that was made any closer. Down here everything is a center console fiberglas boat with mega HP. I have never had anything but positive questions and comments about my boat.

#22

Thanks Dave, it is very easy to compliment your Alumaweld.

Thankyou for your kind welcome to Maggie.

Keep teaching them one boat at a time. Eventually the light will come on.........

Rugged, easy maintenance and very fuel friendly hmmmmm.

Have a great day
Mark