Aluminum Boat Question

Hey guys,

I just bought a 17ft. Sea Ark aluminum boat. Took it to the lake yesterday and really like it. Does well on gas riding and
pulling to the lake. My question is, what do y'all do about the rocking in an aluminum boat. I am a big guy and it scared me
a couple of times yesterday when I would walk and the boat would rock. I was worried I was going to throw Brock off the
side. Just wondering if there were any suggestions. Maybe I just need to move to my seat and stay put but that is difficult
with a 7 year old :biggrin Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

What size boat

If it is rocking that much, you got too little of a boat, I done that 20 years ago and after a few boat wakes about threw me out, I got me a bigger boat. Safety is more important than saving a few dollars.

I have an 1987 18ft Polar Kraft Jon boat. Since it is older it is about the same width as the newer 17 boats out there. I had a 1972 16ft Deep V (or deep V for its time) Alum boat that did rock a little but did not bother me with the higher sides,
The Polar Kraft took some getting use to but now it does not bother me anymore. It is 18ft end to end, 4'-6" across the floor & I think 6'-4" across the top.
Me & two others went gator hunting in it a while back & we all were moving around each other like we were on the ground but when I first got it I felt like it was going to throw me every time I moved away from the center of the floor.
If you had a wider or more stable boat like me it will take a little time.
Just make sure your son always wears a life jacket (moving or anchored) & for now it is probably a good idea for you to do the same until you get comfortable moving around in it.

Congrats on the new boat Hallidas! Is your new boat a V-hull, a mod V, or a flat bottom. They all seem to rock a little different. I've owned many mod Vs over the years and do today and don't seem to have much trouble with it. I have a little one as well (5 y/o), so I know your concern. I feel completely confident on putting his PFD on and giving the rear casting deck to him (he's a "winder" right now, you know cast and wind. So bass fishing appeals to him) Myself depending on what I'm fishing for I will use a seat or leaning post, but always have something just in case. Flat bottoms always seemed more "tippy" unless you had a really wide one and they were ok. They just don't take rough water well. And the V hull rides well in rough water but does have a little roll which I guess is ok because of the high sides. A good fishing buddy of mine has a 14' mod v and he had a casting deck in the front, it was a bit uncomfortable. We recently did a remodel on it and made it like a stick steer style boat putting all of the weight in the belly of the boat, and it is great on the water. I'd be comfortable fishing about anywhere out of it. The revolution hull tracker has is a very stable boat, very similar to fiberglass of comparable size. I hope I helped and didn't ramble too much.

Congrats on the new boat Andy. Take your time and get use to the movements, you will get the feel for it.

Come to the dark side and buy a pontoon. Never worry about falling over again. Plenty of room for the little ones to run around

I've had all kinds of boats and now have an aluminum Lund semi V 16'WC. It helps if you have some weight in the bottom. I usually have a cooler full of water in the middle of the floor for putting fish in and another cooler full of drinks and ice which is pretty heavy. The weight takes a lot of the rock and roll out of it. You'll get used to it. You can tell if it's actually a safety hazard or if it just makes you jumpy. My Lund is totally safe. 2 adults could set on the gunwales with their legs in the water and it still wouldn't try to turn over. But it will rock pretty good. I've drifted in 2' chop with it many times and fished all over the place, great boat.

Its all about what you are used to. Fished out of a similar boat for years and could run from one end to the other, but now I'm used to my bigger boat and it makes me a little jumpy sometimes when I get in a smaller boat.

Thanks for all the responses. Mine is a 17 ft SV. I think it is going to take se getting use to. Brock loves it and loves playing in the live wells.

Here is a picture I took of the boat.

Attachment 140664

That's a nice boat Hollidas!!

Looks good

Nice boat! What size engine is that on it?

Man,thats a nice boat.You will just have to get use to the rocking.Hey you can put some vertical jigging action on your poles with ease and also it wont cost you as much to pull the boat to and from the lake. Ive allways had aluminum boats,never had a glass boat but fish in some rocky shallow rivers at times,no worries when you beach it..I do believe you and Brock will like it.If you dont,with a boat like that I dont think you'd have any trouble getting rid of it quick.

That's a nice boat Andy, you will love it once you get your footing.

That's a great looking boat Andy! I'm sure it will take a little getting used to the transition from Fiberlgass to Aluminum, but that boat looks like it's setup perfectly for crappie!

Thanks guys. It has a 40 hp 4 stroke big foot mercury on it. Brock an I got it up to 28 mph.