- Joined
- Oct 1, 2011
- Messages
- 452
- Reaction score
- 229
- LOCATION
- SoCal
Hello all-
Picked up this boat two weeks ago.
Year: 2009
Model: Valco BR-15 manufactured by Klamath Boats
Planned uses: 90% of time on local So Cal lakes near me; 10% bay fishing/cruising in ocean
mostly myself and son, or 2 adults or 2 adults and son
I have a few questions about beam and floor width.....
Beam at gunnel is 64"
Floor at widest portion is 43"
Is this boat too narrow for its length?
It's rated for 40hp (yellow capacity plate). Seems like high hp for such a small narrow boat.
I'm a big guy at 6' 280#
Boat is manufactured by Klamath Boats but the model is a Valco BR-15. Klamath purchased Valco in early 2000's and according to Klamath, they made this hull for a few years after purchasing Valco.
I've never had an alum boat this small and light (240#)
I purchased it as I wanted something simple, SAFE, practical, easy to launch, and budget friendly.
My hopes are that it can be made comfortable AND SAFE enough to fish in for 6-8 hours a day.
Is comfort AND safety achievable with this boat?
I plan on taking my 13yo son, who is on the Autism spectrum, and want to be sure he is in safe boat. Life vests at ALL times!
Thoughts on this boat?
If I decide to keep it......
Planned mods for comfort AND safety:
flat plywood floor
fill in bow area to create a casting deck, anchor locker, and place for a swivel seat
trolling motor
8, 9, or 15 hp....haven't decided
2 swivel seats on floor between factory alum benches (maybe 1 swivel seat up on bow platform)
1" bow rail from point of bow to 8' back, 8" tall
stern rails about 2' long
Thanks!!
Picked up this boat two weeks ago.
Year: 2009
Model: Valco BR-15 manufactured by Klamath Boats
Planned uses: 90% of time on local So Cal lakes near me; 10% bay fishing/cruising in ocean
mostly myself and son, or 2 adults or 2 adults and son
I have a few questions about beam and floor width.....
Beam at gunnel is 64"
Floor at widest portion is 43"
Is this boat too narrow for its length?
It's rated for 40hp (yellow capacity plate). Seems like high hp for such a small narrow boat.
I'm a big guy at 6' 280#
Boat is manufactured by Klamath Boats but the model is a Valco BR-15. Klamath purchased Valco in early 2000's and according to Klamath, they made this hull for a few years after purchasing Valco.
I've never had an alum boat this small and light (240#)
I purchased it as I wanted something simple, SAFE, practical, easy to launch, and budget friendly.
My hopes are that it can be made comfortable AND SAFE enough to fish in for 6-8 hours a day.
Is comfort AND safety achievable with this boat?
I plan on taking my 13yo son, who is on the Autism spectrum, and want to be sure he is in safe boat. Life vests at ALL times!
Thoughts on this boat?
If I decide to keep it......
Planned mods for comfort AND safety:
flat plywood floor
fill in bow area to create a casting deck, anchor locker, and place for a swivel seat
trolling motor
8, 9, or 15 hp....haven't decided
2 swivel seats on floor between factory alum benches (maybe 1 swivel seat up on bow platform)
1" bow rail from point of bow to 8' back, 8" tall
stern rails about 2' long
Thanks!!