Stealthcraft Boats

[WyoWill]

I had to laugh at this part of the description for the 18' Kenai model:
"Who want's to row 4 guys in front of the rower?"

All the guides up here on the Kenai do this and it always looks like a shitshow. I guess it doesn't matter where you put the clients when you're more of a babysitter than guide and just trying to get through the day...

[schwerty]

That 18 footer looks super fun for big rivers and lakes! If I have a big yet work-wise or win the lottery I'm gonna pick up one of Stealthcraft's jet sleds. Not holding my breath!

[brian clemens]

Hey schwerty,

Whats the status on your stealthcraft 16' superfly. Im out here in CA, and they havent floated this way yet, however interested in your feedback on it. Also have you rowed any other drift boats besides this one. I currently own a 04 clacka 16' ffb, which will be sold before i head up to Alaska to guide for the summer. When i get back, its all about getting me a new boat which is my work vessel. I want something that is easy on my clients, easy in easy out and to walk around, of course its gotta row well too. I have rowed several wooden db's, aluminim and glass hydes, as well as several clacks. Nothing has rowed better than the wooden with the clacks being second. Im looking at the 16' superfly and 16' eddy from clacka.

Would love hear your input
Thanks
Brian

[schwerty]

Brian

I have been rowing hard boats for 20+ yrs and stand by the Steathcraft design. The interior is far better thought out and most importantly performs better than every other boat. Nothing comes close! The materials are equally as quality.

While the hull design is good and rows well, I think there are easier boats to row in calm, flat, windy water than the 16'. Despite the pronounced front rocker, these boats handle extraordinarily well. I enjoy mild whitewater, class III, so, it is perfect for me. The 16' would be a great AK boat, depending on where you float, obviously, its not a small stream rig.

The stability and functionality that these things have is outstanding! Hands down the best guide boat I have ever owned. Great for rc floating too.

If you find yourself in the Tetons, you are welcome to row mine.

[brian clemens]

Thanks for the info.
This will be my work and rc vessel. Primarily the work vessel. Im looking for a boat that better suits my clients, then secondly me.

Here in CA where i guide there is some wind, but it varies, not a lot of long stretches of calm aka frog water. I do a good amount of back rowing, feathering, keeping the clients in the sweet spot then following the drift down back row up and repeat, anchoring and motoring(to get through the frog water).

As much as i wish i could bring my boats to AK, they have boats already. And ill never see classIII, anytime soon.

I want a functional boat thats easy on my clients and that doesnt kill me after 8-10hrs of rowing with 1, 2 and sometimes but rare 3 clients. The reason i was looking at the clack eddy is i already row a clack and it rows good, not like my woodies, but better than others. Its a high side so horrible in the wind, but does everything i need just fine.

Thanks for the offer

Here is my email shoot me a line so we can talk more.
Brian@norcalflyguides.com

[schwerty]

I'm outta town on spring break with my family until Friday. Not much opportunity to get online so it might have to wait.

[brian clemens]

Sounds good. Looking forward to hearing feom you.

Thanks

[brian clemens]

Schwerty,
Shoot me an email when u can

[BobMc]

Thinking of pulling the trigger on a 15’ Aftermath. I need something that can carry three people and two dogs. I dig the set up of the oarsman seat with the ability to walk around.

My uncle does artwork for them, so I may be able to get something custom.

https://stealthcraftboats.com/stealthcraft/boat-skins-colors-and-designs/david-ruimveld-artist-series/

How did you like your’s Schwerty?

[skifishbum]

id go highside 18" at the oars aint a lot 3" can let a lot of water in
i couldnt evarz justify a 1300 paint job on a driftboat
but its your bling

[happytimefunbox]

Do it Bob!


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[jpcm]

I had Mike and the guys at stealthcraft build us one two years ago, and we’ve been really happy with it. I went back and forth between the aftermath and superfly, finally settling on the slightly smaller aftermath. Main reasoning for this is it’s a little more manageable for my wife to row, and a lot of the time it’s just the two of us and the dog, so the extra space really isn’t needed. I’ve had 3 guys in it on the south fork, with overnight gear and big motor. Fully
loaded for sure, but the boat still fished great.

They built ours with a front pedestal that can be swapped out for a fiberglass double seat dry box. There are small tie down bars glassed into the floor, and the box is held in place with two large cam straps, a big cooler could be run in that spot as well. 95% of the time I run the pedestal. I Really like the open feel and it’s great room for the dog. Between the other compartments, There is a ton of additional storage space in the boat. The box is nice for booze cruising 4 people or overnights where you want a lot of extra dry storage. I also had them add a full “western” tray down the left side, which I really like. The custom art work they do is pretty sweet, but not quite my style. We did do the Kevlar veil, which seams to be much more durable than standard gel coat.

One thing I wish I did do was upgrade the bottom. I have the chime guards but with the standard gel coat bottom. Unlike my previous RO, these boats are solid floors. The plasticore/glass is at least an inch thick and bomber, but it does not flex around rocks at all. We run a lot of rocky, skinny water and have beat the gel coat up pretty good already. And my Wife has a thing for absolutely slamming rocks… surprisingly she’s done no real damage to the glas or core, just some big chunks of gel coat gone. . Mike is now doing a heat molded Polyurea bottom, and I think that is the ticket. He’s going to pick mine up and put the new
Bottom on this winter, only charging me base materials and the return delivery cost.

The boat is super stable and sits high in the water. While they are heavier than some others, The rocker profile and solid construction allow it to track and backrow really well. It also handles a motor nicely. I often run a 6hp yamm or electric troller, both on the river and still water. Ours is the standard low side, and I feel it is way more stable/ rides higher than other low side boats I’ve fished out of. For sure significantly more stable than our previous RO skiff. The high side they make look burly. I think they would be great for NW rivers, particularly for plug fishing 2 people out of the front for salmon/steelhead. Or if your are planning on running alot of class 3 in it. For me running mainly 1/2 and the occasional class 3 rapid, the standard is great. The high side would be too much boat to deal with in the WY wind.

If you do order one, I will tell you to be patient. They are a pretty small company, dealing with a lot of supply chain BS, and have a ton of ordered in the pipeline. In 2020 ours was 3 months late getting started. Once the boat actually went into production, Mike was great to deal with. Finalizing layout details and texting me update pictures every couple days.







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[snapt]

+1 on patience. Mine was 6+ months late with plenty of excuses and dodged calls from Mike, its par for the course from SC. It's a sweet boat, great quality and well thought out and worth the headache, but just beware it won't be anything close to on time.

[BobMc]

Excellent info, thanks! I’m going to get ahold of them next week and see about availability and delivery time, I’ll take it with a grain of salt.

I have a line on a used one I might be able to buy at the end of the season.

[BobMc]

Talked to Mike this morning, have it kitted out much like JPC's along with their new bottom coating. He said I should see it Thanksgiving/Christmas time, as long as it's here by 4/20 I'll be happy. I did go with the HD just in case I get brave enough to row Red Creek.