I Am A Blssed Man
 

Next week I get to test the AlWeld 1556 with the new Tohatsu beast on the back. For me, the perfect rig. The size I need, should have more room than I need, should draft very shallow, and the 15' should make it a rocket. Face it guys, if you're running anywhere close to 40 loaded, you're flying.
Everyone has that once in a lifetime, race prop installed, all the planets lined up, the wind and current in your favor, top speed number. It has nothing to do with fishing or hunting, but it's a fun, quotable number.
I have weighed my current rig, loaded for fishing, with 2 batteries, all gear, everything, men included, total weight is right at 1500 pounds, it ain't gonna be a speed demon:) So you can either have a rig that goes real fast EMPTY with a race prop on it. or a rig that floats high and gets up quick, one or the other, I fish and hunt more than I race nowadays:rotfl: So it time for a change. Yep, you heard it right, I will soon be the proud owner of that new Tohatsu and a 1556 AlWeld. I always said it would take something drastic to make me get rid of my Edge and my Merc, well, "it" has arrived!
I'll keep you posted.
Danny

That sounds like the perfect boat for me also! Can't wait to hear your review!

Great news Danny!

When will dealers be getting in these new motors? The alweld will be a tiller I assume like the 1548 you tested? Looking foward to your report. What do you see this rig doing better than your edge/merc?

They still need to design a super 25 for guys that run refuges and Miami!


Sent from an Apple Tree..

I'm running the 1648 marsh special with the tldi and a 13 pitch powertech prop. Like you said it's all about getting that balance. I run about 35 loaded down and right at 40 empty. Great all around boat for what I do. You will definitely enjoy your new alweld.

I was also looking at getting the 56" wide alweld as well but then when I went to order it and saw it in person it was like a barge, almost too wide IMHO so I went with the 52" that had a much better look and feel to it as well as still having all the floor room and space I was looking for.

im sure you selected the size boat you need for your needs but just saying, for a 15' boat 56" wide is extra wide. that extra 6" doesn't sound like much but it looks like its a foot wider

Lake Area Marine has the 40 4stroke in stock now.

have you seen the "havoc" boats? theyre really nice

They are designed by the same guy that designed the Edge. My Edge was the first 56" wide bottom Edge built, it is definitely a "high performance" hull, much has changed. Havoc, nice boats, sure, they can be made to go fast, just keep adding horsepower, like any other boat.
There is a definite price distinction between an aluminum fishing hull and a "high performance" hull. If I pay that much for that "High Performance" hull, it had better be several miles per hour (as in 5-7mph) faster than a utility hull with the same STOCK outboard, I like comparing apples to apples. What have you accomplished when you take a high performance hull and add a 90hp ported motor to outrun a stock 40 marsh motor on a fishing boat? You didn't do it with boat, you did it with motor. I don't want to have to port an outboard to outrun stock motors on a "high performance" hull, some guys do, and that's great. Take the same motor every guy can go and buy, the same propeller, the same driver, the same river, and compare it on both boats, see what you get for that extra money. If it's worth it for you, great. At one time, it was worth it for me, those 18 mile trips to hunt Lacassine were long, now, not so much. I am into creature comforts. And just how long does it take to cross Lacassine impoundment?
D

I can't wait to see pics of the new rig!

FIVE (5) year full warranty I think I'm in love.
Don that motor!

Tohatsu is coming out wit a 4 Stroke 40 HP? What are the specs? Cubic Inch?

1. Float much higher, better shallow marsh operation, much less total weight when loaded for fishing.
2. Ease of operation. It is not easy to drive an Edge boat with excessive power. Even loaded, at times it wants to chine walk, there's a fine line of control. I run 1/2 throttle most of the time in Lacassine, 45 mph is not safe in Lacassine, I know my abilities, I don't know everyone else's.
3. I do not make the 18 mile runs to hunt Lacassine anymore, I don't need a steering wheel, no steering wheel, hence, no cut down seat, no getting up and down every time I want to change locations to fish Lacassine.
4. NO, it will not be as fast.
5. I am 60 years old, though most of the time I don't act it. I figure this will be the last rig I buy, I want comfort.
6. My Mercury has long been out of warranty. I installed a new block on it 4 weeks ago, finally burned a valve.
Danny

Danny I can't believe what I'm reading lol

I would never have believed that you would stop hunting Lacassine, but you did. You will go through chapters in your life where change takes place. This past week, we went on a calm vacation to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, what a nice quiet time. Just like on this video, I have really settled down and slowed down:

CAttachment 66619
Could this be a new shipment of the new alweld boats? Passed them in leesville headed south today

I don't know if that is the new boat but yes, that is Lake Area Marine's truck and trailer.