Alumacraft back troller.

Have the opportunity to pick up an early models alumacraft back troller, guessing 1990 for a good price, not great, but very nice. One of those boats that was taken care of very well, always garaged, cover, you can tell it had care of. I just cant find any info at all on these things. Why were they called such? I saw somewhere they have a bigger hull width, but can’t find any specs. Any info on it would be much appreciated.
Its a good friend of the family who has owned it, very trustworthy and confident any issues would have been disclosed.

I had a late 90’s 16 foot tiller version. Very good small boat but like anything, you have to use it in the conditions its meant for. For smaller rivers and lakes it was nice. Good layout, nice casting deck, storage, etc. I had a 40 hp on it and it flew. I’m sure low 30’s at least. The original owner before me had a 30 horse on it and said that was more than adequate.

Down side is the lower sides. Its similar to the Alumacraft Lunker only a couple inches smaller all round and not quite as deep. 16 feet 1 inches, 73 inch beam and 583 dry weight.

I do think the name is a little curious though…with the lower sides I’m not sure I would “backtroll” in it. Any waves would fill up the splash well quickly. Same in 2 foot waves going forward, it can be a little rougher ride and the driver will get pretty wet. But on calm days or on smaller waters its a great little boat. I used it a lot on the metro rivers and thought it did quite well in those situations. Took it on a large South Dakota prairie lake on a windy day…not so much…

Good review there, FryDog. Spent time fishing in this boat. Not sure why they called it a back troller? More of a cross over bass/walleye boat.

-J.

Almost all my fishing it would be doings is river, and metro lakes. I was hoping to get up to mille lacs or some bigger ones around if a nice day is forecasted, not much in the $2500-3000 range that’s going to handle big water, unless its old and the condition of it unknown. This would be a stepup from my 14′ jon boat now, and hoping to break it in at the FYB in march.

I have a lunker tiller. Stubby front end. Wear your raincoat. She bucks waves. There’s 2 reasons why i want to replace that boat, #1, she leaks like a sive, mostly from the pounding it’s taken in conditions too rough for the hull, #2, i want a front end that is more gradual sloping like the newer model alumacrafts have that go over waves, instead of through them.

I always thought the Backtroller was about perfect for me – Mississippi, Rum, 200 acre lakes, etc. But I do like the occasional trip to Mille Lacs or South Dakota. If I’m running the boat with one of my kids or my 85 year old dad though, I don’t want to be concerned about safety on the bigger lakes. So I wanted something the size of the Backtroller but yet tougher for the ocasional big water trip. I sold the Backtroller for a 16 foot Yar-craft tiller. Similar size, layout, and versatile, but have had it on some bigger lakes and it can take a pounding. Very good on the rivers around here too. For me, its been a really good compromise. The key is finding one in the price range. I’ve seen some inexpensive but you have to really have the wood transom/floors inspected. If they are solid its like a bullet proof version of the Backtroller IMO.

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Almost all my fishing it would be doings is river, and metro lakes. I was hoping to get up to mille lacs or some bigger ones around if a nice day is forecasted, not much in the $2500-3000 range that’s going to handle big water, unless its old and the condition of it unknown. This would be a stepup from my 14′ jon boat now, and hoping to break it in at the FYB in march.

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Don’t let the big water of Mille Lacs scare you. There are many bays on the lake to launch and fish in if it’s windy. The Mille Lacs misconception is you need to go to the middle of the lake to catch fish. Not true. Cove, Isle, Wahkon Bay all produce fish with some protection from the wind. They all also have landings.

My dad would bring me up there about once a year with the pop up trailer on the pickup, and boat behind. 14′ rebel, and we would find the landing that was most suitable for is to fish out of and was a blast. Never caught too much but good memories, just want the same for my kids. Think this boat will do. Now have to dig it out from under a back deck all the way to the front yard

Just an FYI to y’all, finding old boat info is freakin tough!! Nadaguides.com will give you some good specs on them. Lund has on its website archives of its catalogues which is really nice. Alumacraft doesn’t have it on the website, but I emailed them and got a response and answer within 15min that they have brochures and catalogues in their files too that they would share as soon as I have a serial # for them. Just a heads up if you were trying to research old boats as I have been for the last few days.

Nothing better than after a 90hour work week, to have the new rig in the driveway. Dad was able to pick it up for me today before the ground gets to soft in the yard of where its been stored since I bought a month ago. Dont know when I’m getting home, but be if its 2am I’m taking off the cover and having a darn beer in it!!!!

Congrats! Getting a new boat is always a thrill.

Nice! Let’s see some pics when you get the cover off.

Cudos to you!!!

Enjoy!