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[Outbound]

My wife and I are kicking around the idea of buying a new boat next year, so obviously that means I start research now right? LOL We're looking at a ton of options and one that has come up is the Lund SSV 16 with a 40HP Honda outboard and the flat floor/casting deck add on. I grew up in Abbotsford and ran a 12ft and 9.9hp on the Fraser to get to gravel bars but never sturgeon fished from it. It was too sketchy for that. The sturgeon fishing we did was from a friend's 24ft Custom Weld jet boat.

Would the 16ft Lund be comfortable and stable enough to use for sturgeon fishing on the Fraser?

[4x4]

That's a nice boat. 16 ft should be ok but I think you will find that 4 people might start to feel tight. You might get the dreaded extra 2ft disease. Also I would be cautious during freshet.

I'm running a Weldcraft Angler 20' with a 115 Merc outboard. It's a cab forward boat and comfortable to fish from. There are enough options for water to fish on the Fraser for Sturgeon and Salmon that I decided not to buy a jet. I can use this boat in the ocean also.

Good luck with your search.

[firstlight]

It depends where you plan on fishing?
I fished out of a 16ft Lund and never had any issues but you have to be considerate of conditions and i certainly wouldnt want to fish 4 from it.

[Outbound]

Thanks for the info guys. I doubt we'll ever have more than 2 people fishing at once, 3 would be the absolute max and that 3rd person would probably just be along for the ride.  Most of the fishing we've done has been above the mouth of the Vedder, and mostly around Chilliwack usually launching at Island 22.

The Weldcraft is a sweet boat but probably well out of our budget. I also don't want a full windshield, as I value open space more since the boat will be used for fly fishing lakes too.

[Hike_and_fish]

I have a 16' open floor concept jet sled with front and rear casting decks. Its perfect for two people when fly fishing with pedistal seats installed. While on rivers i take out the seats. Three people is doable but on the tighter side. I would say that you'll have trouble getting on step with a 40hp and 4 people. I'm able to plane with two on the boat but three getting on step going upriver is impossible. I top out at 34mph with a 60/40 Merc jet when riding solo going upriver. Two people and it drops to 27mph. Three people a cooler and a BBQ and I'm down to 23mph upriver.weight distribution also has a big effect on how you plane. Lots of things to consider. The water conditions have a huge effect on how your boat rides. For example last week two of us went up the upper Stave river at 23mph and going down we topped out at 38mph.  I also find that oitboard jets ride faster with a slight chop as opposed to flat calm water. Are you getting a jet or a prop ? I would stick with a prop since you'll be able to get into my HP for less money.

[Outbound]

I have a 16' open floor concept jet sled with front and rear casting decks. Its perfect for two people when fly fishing with pedistal seats installed. While on rivers i take out the seats. Three people is doable but on the tighter side. I would say that you'll have trouble getting on step with a 40hp and 4 people. I'm able to plane with two on the boat but three getting on step going upriver is impossible. I top out at 34mph with a 60/40 Merc jet when riding solo going upriver. Two people and it drops to 27mph. Three people a cooler and a BBQ and I'm down to 23mph upriver.weight distribution also has a big effect on how you plane. Lots of things to consider. The water conditions have a huge effect on how your boat rides. For example last week two of us went up the upper Stave river at 23mph and going down we topped out at 38mph.  I also find that oitboard jets ride faster with a slight chop as opposed to flat calm water. Are you getting a jet or a prop ? I would stick with a prop since you'll be able to get into my HP for less money.

I'm leaning towards a prop as our fishing these days is 95% lakes and 5% Fraser. The largest lake we fish would be something like Sheridan though a trip to Moberly is likely. We live in Grande Prairie now though, so river boats are super common up here. I'm not sure if I want to go to the expense of a jet at this point since we'll only be able to afford one boat and I'm not sure how a jet drive boat will handle lakes. Price point is certainly a consideration since a basic used jet boat will cost as much as a nice new lake boat.

I've been talking to my wife and she mentioned that only once in the last 10 years or so have I had more than one passenger on board. So if a boat has enough power, stability and comfort for 2 guys and their gear I'll be happy.

[firstlight]

Would be hard to beat a 16 ft Lund with a side console and 25 hp.

This is what i had and was the best boat i have owned.

It was the basic Big Lakes model with factory console installed.

I put my own flat floor in and also removed most of the middle seat.
It would do approx 30miles an hour and fished like a dream.
You could allways go bigger motor but the 25 Mariner 2 stroke was plenty for me and another fisher.

[bigblockfox]

my old 16 foot smoker craft was a dog with 2 guys and a full tank of fuel with the 50/30 jet. through in some current and it was a waste of time. with a jet i am a firm believe more power the better. also outboard jets are a lot noisier than a prop. hard to justify a jet when your on a lake 95% of the time.

[Hike_and_fish]

my old 16 foot smoker craft was a dog with 2 guys and a full tank of fuel with the 50/30 jet. through in some current and it was a waste of time. with a jet i am a firm believe more power the better. also outboard jets are a lot noisier than a prop. hard to justify a jet when your on a lake 95% of the time.

And the gas consumption of a jet. Shoot they are thirsty. Mine is a 2018 4 stroke 60/40 and its thirsty. Ill make it to the upper Pitt, burn around and fish and I HAVE to refuel before I leave to the lake. It'll drink 25L quickly

[bigblockfox]

agreed, especially outboard jets. although my 350 kodiac with the american turbine isnt as bad as i though it would be. don't get me wrong it burns fuel but if your not hammering down all the time its not to bad.

one time i launched at macdonald beach, ripped out to the hump. fished all day on the kicker. ripped back. then the next day launched at fort langley and ripped up to the first canyon on the pit river and back on a single tank in the custom weld. not going to lye, was a bit worried about running out of fuel in the fraser coming back. nothing like catching springs one day and jet boating up the pitt the next. cruises at 30 mph at 2900rpm.

[stsfisher]

I have the 16' and fish sturgeon from it, and would recommend this set up for sure.  https://abbotsford.craigslist.org/boa/d/similkameen-2005-legend-xcalibur/7159956287.html

My 16 is the perfect all round, river/lake/family/fishing machine. I do not hesitate taking it on the Fraser on the sections I am familiar with the gravel bars. I fish sturgeon/ salmon when you could/ fish the harry, small lake/big lakes.
I can still put it in some of the smaller lakes in the interior for fly fishing, at the same time have no issue with putting it into the big lakes that can blow up at times.
My 16 has a 50hp 4 stroke that I feel is a bit under powered with 4 occupants and loaded, but now a days it is usually just 2 guys fishing out of it so I now feel it is just right. I have owned it since 2007, gone from 2 small kids, and wife on board through to having 2 big kids 2 dogs and a wife on board. I went through the 2 foot ides days and now enjoy the comfort of having 2 - 3 people again.

34mph- 1 occupant / 30ish- 2 occupants / 28mph - 3 or more and loaded after getting on plane. With any Legend they say you should max the HP out as they are on the heavy side, so this 18' is probably no different, probably somewhat under powered but not an issue in my opinion.

[Outbound]

I have the 16' and fish sturgeon from it, and would recommend this set up for sure.  https://abbotsford.craigslist.org/boa/d/similkameen-2005-legend-xcalibur/7159956287.html

My 16 is the perfect all round, river/lake/family/fishing machine. I do not hesitate taking it on the Fraser on the sections I am familiar with the gravel bars. I fish sturgeon/ salmon when you could/ fish the harry, small lake/big lakes.
I can still put it in some of the smaller lakes in the interior for fly fishing, at the same time have no issue with putting it into the big lakes that can blow up at times.
My 16 has a 50hp 4 stroke that I feel is a bit under powered with 4 occupants and loaded, but now a days it is usually just 2 guys fishing out of it so I now feel it is just right. I have owned it since 2007, gone from 2 small kids, and wife on board through to having 2 big kids 2 dogs and a wife on board. I went through the 2 foot ides days and now enjoy the comfort of having 2 - 3 people again.

34mph- 1 occupant / 30ish- 2 occupants / 28mph - 3 or more and loaded after getting on plane. With any Legend they say you should max the HP out as they are on the heavy side, so this 18' is probably no different, probably somewhat under powered but not an issue in my opinion.

That's alot of boat for the price. I've heard mixed reviews about the Legends though. How do they stack up against Lund and Princecraft?

[stsfisher]

That's alot of boat for the price. I've heard mixed reviews about the Legends though. How do they stack up against Lund and Princecraft?

What kind of mixed reviews? Sorry have not owned a Lund or Princecraft to know how they compare. I will say, you do not see many legends come up for sale very often.

[Outbound]

What kind of mixed reviews? Sorry have not owned a Lund or Princecraft to know how they compare. I will say, you do not see many legends come up for sale very often.

I've heard that their hull design isn't as efficient as it could be, thus requiring more power. I've also heard some reports of poor quality with rivets, upholstery and long term durability of the materials.

[stsfisher]

I've heard that their hull design isn't as efficient as it could be, thus requiring more power. I've also heard some reports of poor quality with rivets, upholstery and long term durability of the materials.

Yes as stated they do perform better when their HP  is maxed, however with a different pitch on the prop you can over come the holeshot deficiencies.  These boats are not riveted. And all components have been solid. I have owned since new in 2007, and have had zero issues.
Hull design? I think the hull design couldn,t be better for bigger water and aluminum design, Cuts well, with very little to no slap. No expert on hull design but the Legend boats are solid in their design.

Like I said not many if any come up for sale, and I strongly believe that is for good reasons.

Just my 2cents of course, but at that price it is deffinitly worth a look.