Steigercraft Super Fly 21

[bunkerfly]

Hey Folks,

After years away from the East Coast, I'm making the move back and am looking to buy a new CC for fly fishing. I really want this to be a "no compromises" boat since I am a rabid fisherman without a wife or children. I do not need a head, a bow dodger, a T-top or any kind of enclosure. What I want is a stable, rugged, cleanly designed fly fishing platform that can handle a reasonable Northeast chop but can also get into water less than 2 feet deep. I've got quite a bit of experience with other people's boats as well as owning a Wellcraft 20 CC which I kept up on the Vineyard.

Anyway, as to what I'm looking for. I want a boat that is no more than 21' (I like smaller boats). I want something with a low-profile or no bow rail. I need a boat that can store at least 4 nine-foot fly rods horizontally. I am not interested in a deep vee for three reasons - I want a stable fishing platform for drifting, I don't want to hang an enormous OB off the transom and I want to be able to fish relatively skinny water. I'd also like to fit whichever boat I buy with those fantastic Lenco Troll-n-Tabs.

In my most recent internet searches, I've come across the Steigercraft Super Fly 21 and was greatly impressed. The design is clearly friendly to feather flingers and the workmanship appears to be pretty impressive, not to mention the lifetime warranty. She drafts less than a foot with a 14 degree deadrise at the stern. Has anyone fished from this boat? How does she handle? Does anyone know how much they cost, say with a Honda 150 four stroke?

I've also looked into the Parker 21SE, the McKeeCraft 19 CC, the Seacraft 20, the Jones Brothers LT21 and the Maritime Skiff 20-D. I know that the Parker is built like a tank and is probably the least expensive of the boats listed here (along with the Maritime). But Parkers also are known for their bare bones setup and lack of storage, plus a high weight given their hull dimensions. The Seacrafts are legendary, but are they as good as they used to be or will I be merely paying for a storied name? Any idea what the 20 Classic goes for? The McKeeCraft is something of a wildcard. They have a beautiful line and look very well made but seem to be more of an offshore hull than what I'm looking for. I've fished off a Jones Brother Light Tackle a few times and came away less than impressed. All of the various hatches (and there are loads of them) made a heck of a noise, creaking and groaning whenever we moved about on the decks. I'm also not entirely crazy about the flush, flats-style decks on these boats. Maritime Skiffs are another brand that always comes up in these conversations but they're simply too light for the kind of weather/swell I hope to fish in. I've been out in an 18 Maritime Skiff in the fall East of Orient Point in a pretty good chop and felt like a cork bobbing in a flushing toilet.

Again, any and all suggestions are welcome. Any brands I should check out?

Thanks guys,
Nick

[haguebrook]

A good friend took a class at Mass Maritime, and told me that the instructors universally opted for a Steiger Craft as their boat of choice. Take that for whatever it's worth.

I am sure that you will get many recommendations, but Steigers are tough, well made boats.

Good luck!

[mctrout]

Well unfortunately everything is a compromise, especially a boat with a 14 degree deadrise. I have fished allot on all the boat mentioned except the Mckee. these are just my opinions, so take them for what they are> I spend about 120 days a year on my Steiger ( i have a flats boat as well)
-Parkers are the best value by far and you can get one fully rigged with 4 stoke and trailer for about 30k. they are ugly, heavy, no storage, and there is no liner inside so they are spray-painted, not to mention EVERYONE has one
-Seacraft is about 40k+ has allot more deadrise but is a small boat that is actually 19.5 feet, has no room behind the leaning post to fish. good lopoking and well made
-Maritime is the driest boat of its class I have ever been in, and very low maintenance, easy to trailer, ugly, very economical to own, but overpriced to buy initially
-steiger is about 45k, comes from a company that has no desire to build the boat, WAY too flat-bottomed for a serious fishing boat, is the perfect fly-fishing boat in its lay-out and holds 10- rigged fly rods, is the best looking one in this group, will take a year to have another one built. if this boat was 17 degrees and you are extremely handy, I would say this one hands down, but they are not an easy company to deal with. If you have a dealer, I have heard much better things, but they don't hold dealers well because they are so difficult. if you insist on getting one I will tell you what to look for. Lencos work great when they are working and it is sturdy as hell. DO NOT get a dark hull color!!!
More later if you want but am hitting the water this morning so wish me luck

[Fin Addiction]

I purchased a 19' Maycraft this season for inshore shallow water with the ability to take a chop and head sea reasonably well. The 19 Maycraft looks very similar to an 18 Parker, and weighs about the same. It has pretty good storage for a small boat and takes 4 flyrods under the port gunwale. I rigged it with two I-Fly verticla holders on the console. The boat has great bow flare and I just took it to Stellwagen the other day for the final leg of the break in and was greeted with 25mph SW on the ride home....It was a little dicey but was pretty happy with how she handled in the quatering seas. She floats in less than a foot of water and like you I plan to get the trolling tabs next season. Best of all the price on this boat is a fraction of what you will pay for something similar. I picked mine up in VA with a 115hp Yamaha 2 stroke and galvy trailer for 13,999... I'm sure there are boats out there that have a better fit and finish than the Maycraft but Im pretty happy so far with what I see. An 18 Maritime with 70hp suzuki 4 stroke was listed at 24k somewhere at a show recently.....The Maycraft is alot more boat than the Maritime but the Maritime probably has the advantage of getting in a tad more skinny water....
FWIW, The Steigercraft Superfly is a nice looking ride!

[justbill]

Bunkerfly:
Just sent you a pm on this.

[Smcdermott]

I just purchased this boat this spring and have been very impressed with the quality of the boat and especially the ride. Unlike the 1910LT which has all of the hatches and decking this boat provides a wide open deck layout and with a few modifications (which can be done by the factory) can store a ton of fly rods under the gunwales. There is a very large forward hatch and storage under the seat in front of the console (I just plug the livewell on mine). Please feel free to PM me if you want more detailed information but I would certainly at least take a look at this boat. Marshrunner from this forum also has the same boat and has had it for a year with the modifications I referenced above and has also had nothing but good things to say about it.

Sean

[gf2020]

Nick, not to beat a dead horse, but this topic comes up several times every year.

Here are some of the previous threads...

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36496

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36119

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39257

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29886

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39082

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35274

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29783

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28710

[bunkerfly]

Thanks for the information.

I've fished from all of the boats I mentioned in the initial email save for the Steiger and the McKee. After McTrout's none too positive take on the Steiger's, I'm going to be wary about making a purchase, but I will check them out and hopefully sea-trial one. And McTrout, I do agree that a boat needs to look good. Something about the hull lines of certain makes really does it for me.

I'm really hoping to get some info from someone who owns a McKee. I've checked out all of the earlier threads with similar subjects but have only heard how great they are - no specifics.

[Smcdermott]

Bunkerfly,

I do not own the McKee but I did check it out including a test ride before going with the JB. My thoughts were that you lost a lot of room in terms of overall floor space due to the full liner and storage built into the gunnels. The rod storage in the gunnels also seemed very awkward for use in an actual fishing situation where you want to grab a rod quickly and at best could barely fit a 9' fly rod. There was a lot of storage on the boat and the fit and finish really seemed second to none. However, for $28K with trailer and minimal power (F115) seemed pricey to me. It was also a lot smaller and less sea worthy in my opionion than the 20' JB which is about the same coin. I had also been on the 1910LT you mentioned above and find that the 2000 CF with 6" more beam seemed noticelably drier. When all was said and done I really love the lines of the boat and its simplicity.

Just my $.02.

Sean

[JimC]

Contact me off line and I'll speak to my buying experience with Steiger. Its all about the dealer. Brendon went direct I think and that put him in a more difficult position given it was a single boat sale for Steiger as opposed to a season's worth from a dealer with a large finacial commitment.

It can be done, IMO its worth it, but there are a few things to know going into it.

[bunkerfly]

Sean,

Maybe it was my less than impressive experience with a Jones LT that has made me shy away from seriously considering a different model from Jones. From an asthetic standpoint, boats with an inner liner are more pleasing to the eye, but the inner liner does take up valuable space. I'll give Jones some serious consideration.

I think I was spoiled with my Wellcraft - sure she was heavy and more of a pocket offshore boat than an insore boat - but she had an amazing amount of storage (including horizontal space for 9' flyrods), was beamy for a boat under 20' (8'6") and had plenty of room aft, plus a step up platform in the bow - which I do want. There is a lot of talk about "360 degree fishability" and a cockpit/deck that is a uniform depth, but I have NEVER had a problem with the raised bow platform, even in the snottiest weather - all you have to do is step down into the cockpit. Plus the raised platform usually creates additional storage space.

Thanks,
Nick

[JoeJ]

Nick,

I also looked at the same boats you are mention here last fall when I sold my JB 1910lt. In the end I had narrowed it down to a 23' JB until I found a 21' Hells Bay for sale in Florida. I also liked the steiger but the company didn't seem to wan't to build the linered boats anymore and kept talking to me about the non-linered models. I could be wrong but that was my take. The only experiance I have with McKee was a few weeks ago in Fla. I had some time to kill so I went to a dealer to check out the new 22' Freeedom. I was on the boat poking around in the hatches and tried to open one of the floor hatches it was a little tight so I pulled a little harder. We'll the next thing I know I have the handle in my hand and the hatch is still closed. They had only attached the handle with glue to the floor.

[bunkerfly]

Joe,

That is distressing news, both about Steiger and McKee - I thought the whole point of small manufacturers like this was to build solid, tough products and stick behind them with great customer service, oh well...

I must admit, the Hells Bay 21 seems like a great boat, but I've heard they sell for upwards of 60k! I can't see spending that much on a small, inshore CC unless you're rolling in dough (which I am not) or you're a pro guide (also, not me).

Nick

[Greenponded]

We don't see too many Sea Hunts around here. There is one dealership in ME, MA, NH, RI,CT. I am currently looking at a Sea Hunt Triton 212, but they make a 202 as well. You can get it with what they call "striper rails" that are low profile. JD Power rates them behind Grady white, Boston Whaler, and close to Key west in terms of customer satisfaction. Price is lowe than rest, other than KW. Check them out. ;)

[JoeJ]

Nick,

That is very true but I got mine form a guy that was rolling in it for a lot less than you would pay new and it is in excelent condition with 60 hrs. The boat would have cost him around 70k the way it is set up. Also I have to say that I have never delt with a better company as far as customer service. Even though I did not buy the boat from them directly and they owe me nothing they have been awesome. For example before I brought the boat up to New York from FL. I had it taken over to the factory for a once over. They fixed a couple of small marks in the gel, replaced the rub rail that had a nick in it, went over the whole boat and made sure everthing was working properly and adjusted. When I got there I expected a bill to be waiting for me instead what I got was a factory tour and a Thank You owning one of our boats.

[Philster]

I have the McKee 19.6 with a 150 4 stroke and have enjoyed it. It's a very solid feeling boat due to the foam construction. The downside here is that horizontal rod storage is tough. The bow lockers are useless.

I think the hull design results in a good compromise between ride and stability. It can be wet.

The great thing about the boat from my point of view is the flat floor leading to the bow. I've gotten so I can't look at a boat with a bow platform without thinking there's nothing to lean against.

I think it's a value and some of the fit and finish reflects this. However, everything still works after a year of use.