Lund WC-14 vs WC-16

Hi all – I am looking to get a small boat for protected water fishing along the coast here in Massachusetts – small-ish freshwater lakes, brackish rivers and “salt creeks”, so no BIG waves, but certainly some river current and strong tidal current to deal with at times.

I really want to keep costs of the package down and to keep things simple, so I don’t want both a gas motor and a trolling motor. I am thinking either a small gas outboard (10-20HP) or even an electric motor to get to the fishing spot – I’d really prefer the electric motor – dead simple, quiet and clean, but am not sure if it will have enough range. Then once at the fishing spot, the thought is to use sizable oars to e.g., move around the flats (~ 1 mile area), or to maintain orientation for casting while drifting.

It’s not that much more cash for the WC-16 than the WC-14, but that will take more power to push it along, whether it’s me with the oars or a possible trolling motor primary power – I’m sure with a gas motor it’s fine either way. I figure the WC-14 is going to be easier to move with light power, even if the WC-16 has more space and a little better stability. Is the WC-16 just a big load to row around if you have 2 fishermen inside and a 20HP motor plus gas and battery in back? Is even the WC-14 comfortable to row around with the same? Thanks for sharing your experiences!

To be honest I haven’t seen anybody row a boat in Minnesota in 40 years.

I’m guessing the 14 will do all you need it to do. I wouldn’t go small on the motor though. Max out the horsepower. The weight difference and price difference won’t be enough to be concerned about. A four stroke motor will troll down as slow as you need to go.

Welcome to In-Depth!!

If you do intend to row around, don’t cheap out on the oar-lock system. I had oars as a backup in my old 14 footer that weighed less than a WC-14. In any kind of wind it was a nightmare using them. Only had to do it once. Bought a trolling motor as a backup the next day.

If it’s going to be just you, get the 14. If you plan to fish 2-3, get the 16.

Thanks Dutchboy! I am concerned about the transom weight, as often it’ll be just me sitting at the back with the motor and I don’t want the bow in the air ;-)… I have seen though that from several outboard makers, their 9.9, 15, and 20HP motors seem to have the same displacement and weight – looks like it’s actually the same basic motor with different fuel system and maybe valve size.

Thanks DirtyWater! I hear you – want sturdy oarlocks; I haven’t tried it yet but this will be bigger and heavier than the jonboat I rowed all over with my fishing buddy as a boy, so the force on them will be high… the WC-14 and WC-16 come with oarlocks mounted as standard equipment – are these not stout enough?

BarryW wrote:

Thanks DirtyWater! I hear you – want sturdy oarlocks; I haven’t tried it yet but this will be bigger and heavier than the jonboat I rowed all over with my fishing buddy as a boy, so the force on them will be high… the WC-14 and WC-16 come with oarlocks mounted as standard equipment – are these not stout enough?

Can’t speak to those, but in my general experience the factory oars and locks are nothing to write home about. If relying on oars on a consistent basis you’ll probably want to go with an aftermarket kit. Look into the stuff on drift boats and you’ll get some ideas.

Re: the weight balance. Just put some sand bags up front if you have to, or rig your battery and fuel cell up there.