Anyone have experience with Hewescraft?

Charlie S and Titan

Charlie S and Titan

Well-known member
I'm inhaling oil paint fumes and my mind wanders..... I find myself looking at boats again.

I absolutely love my current boat, but I'd like one with higher gunwales, thicker hull material, welded not riveted. Otherwise, like a newer IPS hulled Lund Alaskan.

Anyone here been in/looked at a Hewescraft?

They have a model called the Open Fisherman that seems to fall somewhere between the hull I have and the hull I'd want if money grew on trees (Black Lab v20).

The Hewescraft bare hull prices are comparable to a Lund, but they are made with .160 aluminum rather than .100 but they are much beamier - 85" on the open fisherman 18 vs 75" on the alaskan 18. The downside to that size is weight - they weigh more than twice as much, and as a result need (and can handle) a bigger outboard.

Do you know or have you seen a hewescraft? How is the quality of their workmanship? Do they stand behind their products? How do the hulls handle open water? How rough is the ride? How dry is the ride? How do you like the console positioning?

Realistically I can't afford a new boat right now, but I can dream and start planning right? Anyone been in one?

Thanks,
Charlie
 
Yes. I had a hewescraft 14' fisherman before I had a car. I was 16 years old and bought it with money from my first job. Anyway, thay are made an hour North of Spokane and are a great boat. You can't go wrong!

Steve
 

I have been in the 20 sea-runner. Hewes makes a good welded alloy boat. I would say they are a mid-range boat in the welded market.
The sea runner series has a pretty deep/sharp entry and aft and from my exp in fishing in them they are tippy (as a deep hulled boat). The sharp entry makes running into a swell or waves nice though. Worry if draft is an issue.. The river runners are a less entry and more "stable" boat but not the hull thickness you find in some of the other comp boats. If you are looking at just a hull, you really should consider looking at some of the other builders out there as well. North river, willies, fishrite, custom weld, thunderjet, alumaweld, and even jetcraft have models that might compare. if you get really motivated there are lots of great deals in OR, WA, CA and ID for new/used boats - only it would require a cross country drive
 
Charlie

You should check out the North River boats. They are made in the same part of the country and are welded hulls.
They have a good variety of models with outboards, sea drives and inboard jet drives. I saw one a dealer had one the duck hunting festivals and looked like very good construction. They are a lot less than a Lund.

Also, charlie you need to keep out of that paint bucket, that huffing thing is not good for you.


.
 
Guys,

Thanks for the info. It is too bad all those great custom AL boat makers are in the pacific northwet. That is a long round trip from here.

Hewescraft at least has a dealer in Chitown, which is closer. Not close, but closer.

I'll look into those other brands too. It'll be a good long while before I can spend the money on one. Gives me some things to research in the meantime.

Thanks!

Charlie
 
Charlie,
Pacific Skiffs makes a great boat, and they are the only Northwet company to anchor in the NE (Black Lab Marine)

I can send you (or anybody else for that matter) a favorites file that has about 30 boat builders - I have researched this pretty well...I can email you the file and then you can import the folder into explorer - real easy. Send me a PM if interested.

Dave
 
Hi Dave,

I PM'd you. I'd appreciate the information.

I talked with Jay at Black Lab again, and unfortunately the aren't making the V20 any more. They do have a nice used one they are brokering but it is still 25K and if (big huge *if*) I could afford a 25K boat, I'd want to have it be exactly what want, not what somebody else did. That one they have is set up more for ocean fishing, and I don't like the layout of the console, seat box, etc.

For $12.5K retail plus whatever add-ons you want to get, you can get a welded Hewescraft (list prices). Granted, that is a boat without a motor or rigging, but that price is a lot more palatable. Probably not in the budget at the moment, but at least attainable.

If I lived on the ocean or even a big lake (or funds were unlimited), I'd consider a $30K boat, but I don't so that is not in the cards (at least for the next 20 years or so).

Thanks!

Charlie
 
Got a fishing bud who loves his Hewes for fly fishing for redfish and speckled trout. They are well made and very stable boats but very expensive.

I might look at a Sundance instead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top