wormdunker Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 I'm looking to purchase a new 14' tinny for the small lakes I fish north of Sudbury. I'm looking at the Princecraft Yukon 15. It's 14'3" length with a 15" transom. Also available is the Yukon 20 (14'3", 20" transom). Both have 68" beam. What R your thoughts on the short shaft versus the long shaft? Also motor size? Max HP rating is 25HP. This sounds like alot of motor for a 14'. I'm leaning toward a 15HP Merc 4 stroke. Or should I move up to the 20 HP? Salesman states going from 15 HP - 20 HP is only a difference of 2-3 mph. Your comments are welcome. Does anybody own this particular boat? I would appreciate your input. I also looked at the Alumacraft. Similar specs to the Princecraft. Alumacraft's max HP rating is 20 HP. Weight of both is only a 5 lb difference. Please give me your thoughts. Thanx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 I'm looking to purchase a new 14' tinny for the small lakes I fish north of Sudbury. I'm looking at the Princecraft Yukon 15. It's 14'3" length with a 15" transom. Also available is the Yukon 20 (14'3", 20" transom). Both have 68" beam. What R your thoughts on the short shaft versus the long shaft? Also motor size? Max HP rating is 25HP. This sounds like alot of motor for a 14'. I'm leaning toward a 15HP Merc 4 stroke. Or should I move up to the 20 HP? Salesman states going from 15 HP - 20 HP is only a difference of 2-3 mph. Your comments are welcome. Does anybody own this particular boat? I would appreciate your input. I also looked at the Alumacraft. Similar specs to the Princecraft. Alumacraft's max HP rating is 20 HP. Weight of both is only a 5 lb difference. Please give me your thoughts. Thanx I don't know the boats,but from what I've heard is if possible always go to max HP. You'll never no when you have to get to shore in a hurry or if you add more people with added weight at least you can get on plane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 I don't think you can go wrong with either brand. As far as the HP question, you said this rig was for fishing small lakes. I personally would stick with the 15 hp, it's not like your going to be traveling long distances on these lakes. Around here, launching on some of our small lakes, the lighter the rig the better. IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevy727 Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Personally, I would go with the 20" transom and 20- 25HP motor. I have a 15" transom and was considering building it up and getting a long shaft, but instead, im buying a new boat. When you troll backwards into the wind, the lower transom takes on water. Even in small lakes. My boat was 14.5 with a 20HP. 37klms/ hour maxed out at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) Buy a new Naden out of Temagami Boat Manufacturing Inc. I need to see some returns.... PM me if you want a quote. Heaviest 14'r is 265lbs http://www.nadenboats.ca/models-canadianlaker.html The 14' Fisherman is 240 lbs http://www.nadenboats.ca/models-fisherman.html The light fisherman is only 160lbs. http://www.nadenboats.ca/models-lightfisherman.html Edited March 17, 2012 by irishfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 its a wide boat, go with Max HP. It also has a splash well, so waves are not a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormdunker Posted March 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Sorry I lied!! The 14' Princecraft is 30lbs (not 5lbs as stated above) heavier than the 14' Alumacraft with 20" transom. Trevy- At that speed how many guys & gear in the boat? What is the weight of your boat? I'm attempting to get this info from the dealers but not getting too far. The 1 dealer says if I'm not happy with the 20 HP bring it back he'll upgrade for me. Problem is if I go 25HP I would want electric start which is an additional $1,700.00 over the 20 HP pull start. Thanx for your replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Apparently the newer motors are far easier to pull then the old ones. And for 5 extra horses it can't be two much harder than a 20hp.Remember down the road the electric will get more money than the pull if you plan to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Field Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 I had a 25 Johnson and once I got it started in the morning it would start on the first pull the rest of the day. I had an electric start for the motor, but never felt the need to install it. Hope you get a lot of enjoyment from your new boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevy727 Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Sorry I lied!! The 14' Princecraft is 30lbs (not 5lbs as stated above) heavier than the 14' Alumacraft with 20" transom. Trevy- At that speed how many guys & gear in the boat? What is the weight of your boat? I'm attempting to get this info from the dealers but not getting too far. The 1 dealer says if I'm not happy with the 20 HP bring it back he'll upgrade for me. Problem is if I go 25HP I would want electric start which is an additional $1,700.00 over the 20 HP pull start. Thanx for your replies. Just 2 people in the boat with all the safety gear, 8 rods and reels, 2 big tackle bags, 1 battery, electric transom mount 55lb minn Kota. I'm not sure the weight of my boat but it's a 1993 Grumman with a 93 Yamaha 20HP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Are you going car topper or on a trailer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormdunker Posted March 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Thanx for the info Trevy. Good to know. Glen it will be on a trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Are you going car topper or on a trailer? How do you put a 300lb,14 ft long,5ft wide boat on the roof of your car Not saying its not doable, just dont know how. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbouck Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) How do you put a 300lb,14 ft long,5ft wide boat on the roof of your car Not saying its not doable, just dont know how. I use to load my 14.5' aluminum on top of my truck cap. It's not that bad Edited March 17, 2012 by Dan Bouck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbouck Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 To answer your questions, it all depends on the lakes. Do they get rough? How far will you be from shore? I had a 9.9 on my 14.5' and it ran good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 Go 20" then with a 15hp. If you are not traveling more then 3-4 miles to fish then it will get you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormdunker Posted March 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 Dan - small lakes, largest chop I was in was 8 - 12". Not planning on using it on Nipissing or Simcoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbouck Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 Dan - small lakes, largest chop I was in was 8 - 12". Not planning on using it on Nipissing or Simcoe. I agree with Glen. 20" and a 15hp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 Dan - small lakes, largest chop I was in was 8 - 12". Not planning on using it on Nipissing or Simcoe. Not for now,that's the reason for the bigger motor.Who knows where you may go next year for example? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 Buy a new Naden out of Temagami Boat Manufacturing Inc. I need to see some returns.... PM me if you want a quote. Heaviest 14'r is 265lbs http://www.nadenboats.ca/models-canadianlaker.html The 14' Fisherman is 240 lbs http://www.nadenboats.ca/models-fisherman.html The light fisherman is only 160lbs. http://www.nadenboats.ca/models-lightfisherman.html Wish there was a dealer down my way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 Bruce.. we're still trying to pump out the 200 boats that were pre-ordered, by the first 7 old dealers contacted, before we even drove a rivet in Feb. PM me you needs... I'll see what TBMI can do.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 I use to load my 14.5' aluminum on top of my truck cap. It's not that bad Ya, but look at the size of the arms on ya Dan !!! I wouldnt arm wrestle ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormdunker Posted March 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 Ya, but look at the size of the arms on ya Dan !!! I wouldnt arm wrestle ya. Yah that's my problem, getting to old to do the heavy duty lifting. I even use the winch on my ATV to pull my hut up onto the trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinnerbaitking Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 I have a 14`Smoker Craft Big Fisherman Minn Kota on the Front Plywood floor & livewell & if I have too big of a guy with me I have trouble getting up on Plane with a 1986 25 Merc & no problem pull starting it, got the boat new & would put a bigger motor on it if I had to redo it, never planned on fishing big water but it`s been on Couchiching, Simcoe, Lake Huron, Rice, Nippissing, Nosbosing & many more over the years, things change & you might as well get something you can feel safe in if you decide to go on bigger water Tight Lines My .02 SBK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dabluz Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 I'm looking to purchase a new 14' tinny for the small lakes I fish north of Sudbury. I'm looking at the Princecraft Yukon 15. It's 14'3" length with a 15" transom. Also available is the Yukon 20 (14'3", 20" transom). Both have 68" beam. What R your thoughts on the short shaft versus the long shaft? Also motor size? Max HP rating is 25HP. This sounds like alot of motor for a 14'. I'm leaning toward a 15HP Merc 4 stroke. Or should I move up to the 20 HP? Salesman states going from 15 HP - 20 HP is only a difference of 2-3 mph. Your comments are welcome. Does anybody own this particular boat? I would appreciate your input. I also looked at the Alumacraft. Similar specs to the Princecraft. Alumacraft's max HP rating is 20 HP. Weight of both is only a 5 lb difference. Please give me your thoughts. Thanx There are a lot of variables that you have not mentioned. Do you usually fish alone? If not, how many will usually fish with you? Small lakes with a maximum of 5 km in length? Can you backup right into the water or do you have to drag your boat to get to water? I have a 14 foot Espadon Cartopper (Princecraft). I guess if I really had to, I could carry it on my back. I can put it on the roof of my van if I have to however, I have a small homemade trailer and I don't even need to use a winch to get it on the trailer even if the trailer is not in the water. I usually fish alone and with my 7.5 h.p. Evinrude, it goes on plane and travels at 30 km/h with all of my equipment on board including big battery and electric motor. It's stable enough to fish standing but I have a good high back seat so I am already high enough for comfortable fishing. I fish a some lakes where I cannot back the trailer into the water but it's just a short drag to the water's edge. I often carry the Evinrude inside my van but on short trips where there are ramps, I leave the motor on the transom. As you can see, a 14 cartopper is just fine for me. I also have a 9.9 Chrysler that I will be trying out this year to see if it is better when I have a 2 nd person with me. I never travel very far on the water anyway. I guess I use up no more than 60 to 100 liters of gas and I do a lot of fishing during a year. If I did not fish alone so often, I would probably buy a 15 foot boat or a 14 foot jumbo and use a larger motor and then use my 14 foot Sportspal for the small lakes without boat ramps. If I was sure to always have 2 or 3 fishermen, I would get a 16 foot jumbo with a 25 to 40 h.p. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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