Alumacraft 165 competitor 90 horse Evinrude

Looking at getting a alumacraft 165 competitor, I don’t fish big eaters much but if I wanted to take it to lake of the woods or Mille lacs for an occasional trip would it be able to handle waves in the 2-4 range. The boat is 16’ 7” long and I didn’t think that the extra foot on the 17’ 7” would be that much better for larger bodies of water for an extra 3-4 grand especially with as little as I plan to fish larger bodies of water. Would the 165 be able to handle the larger bodies of water occasionally, your thoughts would be much appreciated.

I’d say both of those lakes are ones that if you cant be out therein a 16’ a 17’ ain’t going to make a difference. The times we’ve gone to lotw it’s an assumption there will be a day it’s too rough to go out. Keep in mind on millelacs and lotw the weather can change quick. Keep an eye on it, don’t push it, and don’t put yourself in a spot where you’re too far out to get off in time in a smaller or average sized boat.

that is the beauty of LOW, in fall and spring, the rainy river is one of the best fishing destinations in the state. If the lake does not let you out, stay in the river and fish on! 2 years ago we had waves breaking over our cabin roofs on Morris point. River was still rough but we fished no problem. I would not hesitate taking that size boat out in the lake but beware, things change quick. in other words, watch the weather and you will be fine.

Good advice and thanks for the replies! I think I’m going to get it if I could afford the 18’ with the 150 I’d do it but I think I’ll go with the 16’ and the 90 and upgrade in a few years when I have more money if I need to get something bigger.

16 with a 90 is a great boat. Especially for a normal fisherman. And you can make it work on big waters in the right conditions. I’ve been doing it for years

What year is the boat and motor? What make for the motor. Some of the alumacraft guys on here may be able to give you insight. Previously some guys had consoles cracking. I would check that over at not affect anything functionality wise, but could help in your negotiation. Then a again I’m not sure if you’re looking new or used.

For big waters the condition really has to be right. And from experience things change very fast. And one of them scary rides back Is the worst butt puckering experience a guy can have

I have a competitor 175 full windshield. I’ve had it out on mille lacs and LOTW without issue. That being said when the weather creeps up on you it’s not fun. I was fishing a calm day on mille lacs and the weather changed like that into 3-5 ft rollers. My boat handled it but I was going about 10 miles and hour tactfully into the waves and it took me an hour to get to the launch. Had some guys in fiberglass boats go past me at about 30 mph.

I also had the platforms for my windshield crack two years in a row. Both times it was fixed under warranty and both times the excuse I was given was that they had switched to a different manufacturer of the plastic and it had been made too thin. It’s now out of warranty but this year it didn’t crack. Other than that havent had any issues to speak of. Had some different problems with an alumacraft classic 165 but each boat has some issues. Since researching and buying new boats I’ve been surprised how many problems they can have right out of the box.

I have that boat but with a 70 hp yamaha. I take it on mille lacs quite often. You have to be aware of the conditions and be more cautious of going out with it. I don’t like fishing in wind anyways so it works great for me. When the waves get to 3ft it’s too much and I head in. Like others have said you have to watch the weather, the conditions can change quickly. I have been out on glass calm water and within 10 minutes the wind picked up and there were 3 ft waves.

Had a Lund 1700 with a 90 on it….basically same size boat as the alumacraft. It could handle big water but it’s a rough ride….never felt unsafe at all. A foot won’t matter match but it will help.

Truth is, people always talk about wanting to handle “big water” when it’s pretty rare you get out in stuff like that. Even in a big boat you don’t really want to be out in 2 foot rollers.

I have a Dominator 165 Sport with a Yamaha 90. I use it every October on Rainy Lake. I have had it out there on windy days and as others have said, about 10mph with the bow up seems to handle it just fine if you do end up out in that condition

Cracked console issue with Alumacraft boats. Appears to be a common issue found online via help forums. If you can get in touch with Alumacraft, good luck. If you do get in touch with them regarding this issue, you will be told “the damage is not considered a defect in manufacturing and therefore is not eligible for warranty consideration.”

Also be sure to note the last sentence on their profile “The quality we put into our boats builds trust that lasts forever.”

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Jacob Jacobs wrote:

Cracked console issue with Alumacraft boats.

Ok, we get it, I think you’ve posted that enough places now

Ted wrote:

Would the 165 be able to handle the larger bodies of water occasionally, your thoughts would be much appreciated.

You’ll be fine anywhere you want to go. Compared to a big fiberglass boat you’re going to go a lot slower and get really wet but you’ll make it in conditions beyond what you’d want to fish in. Just watch the weather if you’re way out there.

Reef W wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jacob Jacobs wrote:</div>
Cracked console issue with Alumacraft boats.

Ok, we get it, I think you’ve posted that enough places now

Dear Reef, Cracked console issue with Alumacraft boats. Appears to be a common issue found online via help forums. If you can get in touch with Alumacraft, good luck. If you do get in touch with them regarding this issue, you will be told “the damage is not considered a defect in manufacturing and therefore is not eligible for warranty consideration.”

A few years ago I was in Lake Superior by the Bad River in my 17′ Bayliner and it started to get stormy. On the way back to Washburn the waves were coming over the deck. then the windshield, then over the convertible top and down the backdrop. Dry inside the boat but scary and I never went back. I put my life jacket on & the girl I was with said should I put mine on too? I said “I would”. A week or so before that I fished same place with a local in his 14′ aluminum with a 15 hp. and we did well.

How does that boat do with the 70hp Yamaha?

Ted wrote:

Looking at getting a alumacraft 165 competitor, I don’t fish big eaters much but if I wanted to take it to lake of the woods or Mille lacs for an occasional trip would it be able to handle waves in the 2-4 range.

An excellent and versatile boat. Don’t buy your boat based on the 5% use case, buy base on what you’ll do the other 95% of the time.

Matt Moen wrote:

Truth is, people always talk about wanting to handle “big water” when it’s pretty rare you get out in stuff like that. Even in a big boat you don’t really want to be out in 2 foot rollers.

Exactly. In even 2 footers it isn’t going to be fun in any fishing boat. In anything bigger your boat control is so limited in a smaller boat fishing difficult to impossible. If you know how to handle a boat, you can run safely in those conditions but stopping to fish…no.

Would be a good boat, I have the 185 Competitor and a friends has the 165. Just my opinion would be the extra width (beam) from the 165 to the 175. This extra width and also length gives a lot more room in the boat, as my friend said when he fished out of my boat.

Ted,I have a 2019 165 Competitor with a Yamaha 90 SHO on it. By myself I can go 40 MPH and with 2 guys it goes down to around 37MPH. No complaints and no problems.

Ted posted this in 2019 and has not been active for a year.